Compare
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Put E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch next to Smooth Ambler Old Scout and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a blender-built, high-rye bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | 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 | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 | ~$40 – $50 ~$23 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 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
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
- 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 E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
- 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, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).