Compare
Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Eagle Rare 12 Year and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | 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 | 12 years +7 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 | ~$40 – $50 ~$20 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 12 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
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak 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 Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak 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 lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).