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David Nicholson Reserve vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Put David Nicholson Reserve next to Smooth Ambler Old Scout and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a sourced, high-rye blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$10 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- David Nicholson Reserve 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
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
- 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 David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
- 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.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).