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Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Put Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 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 | Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 5 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$16 – $22 ~$26 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Arguably the best value in all of bourbon: a bonded 100-proof Kentucky whiskey for under twenty dollars. Straightforward vanilla and caramel with just enough oak, and nothing at all to apologise for.
- 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 Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, honest, full-proof Kentucky bourbon for the price of a cocktail.
- 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 neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).