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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
On paper Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond and Smooth Ambler Old Scout are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so age (6 years vs. 5 years) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years +1 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $50 | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/5 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond: Bardstown's own high-rye recipe, distilled on site rather than sourced. More than a third rye gives it a bright, minty, fruit-and-pepper profile over caramel and light oak.
- 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 Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond if you want a spicy, fruit-forward high-rye bourbon with the guarantees of a bonded label.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).