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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Put Elijah Craig Barrel Proof next to Smooth Ambler Old Scout and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a blender-built, high-rye bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +7 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +25 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$40 – $50 ~$40 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 9/6 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- 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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).