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Ancient Age vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
On paper Ancient Age and Smooth Ambler Old Scout are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (80 vs. 99) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$29 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- Ancient Age does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/6 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout: Sourced MGP bourbon selected and bottled in West Virginia, and one of the more honest sourced brands about exactly what it is. The characteristic MGP dill-and-pepper signature, cleanly presented.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
- Go with Smooth Ambler Old Scout if you want the classic MGP high-rye profile from a bottler that has always been upfront about sourcing with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).