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Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year and Smooth Ambler Old Scout is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by age (10 years vs. 5 years).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 10 years +5 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less |
- Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/6 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year: The older version of Bulleit's high-rye bourbon. Ten years add a lot of oak and leather to the usual rye spice, and the finish turns dry and woody.
- 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 Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year if you want an oak-forward, ten-year high-rye bourbon at a gentle proof with an older age statement.
- 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 (Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).