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Blanton’s Single Barrel vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Blanton’s Single Barrel and Smooth Ambler Old Scout is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$80 – $150 vs. ~$40 – $50).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Blanton’s Single Barrel | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $150 | ~$40 – $50 ~$70 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel 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
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Blanton’s Single Barrel Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/6 heat: Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
- 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 Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
- 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, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).