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Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a modern, even-keeled craft expression and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$40 – $50 ~$18 less |
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 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
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
- 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does.
- 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 at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).