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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a modern, wheated craft expression and a blender-built, spice-driven bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years +1 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) +7 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$8 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 8/5 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
- 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 Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with slightly more proof behind it.
- 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 slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).