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Buffalo Trace vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Buffalo Trace and Smooth Ambler Old Scout sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a sourced, rye-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$14 less | ~$40 – $50 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace 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
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- 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 Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
- 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 slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).