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Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) and Smooth Ambler Old Scout sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a sourced, rye-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +11 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$40 – $50 ~$45 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch 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
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 8/6 heat: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
- 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 Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).