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Basil Hayden’s vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Basil Hayden’s and Smooth Ambler Old Scout are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (80 vs. 99).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% 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 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$40 – $50 |
- Basil Hayden’s 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
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/6 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
- 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 Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass.
- 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 neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).