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Bulleit Bourbon vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
On paper Bulleit Bourbon and Smooth Ambler Old Scout are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (90 vs. 99) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% 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 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$17 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/6 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- 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 if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a lower price point.
- 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 old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).