Compare
Ezra Brooks 99 vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Ezra Brooks 99 and Smooth Ambler Old Scout sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, rye-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ezra Brooks 99 | 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 | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$20 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- Ezra Brooks 99 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
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ezra Brooks 99 Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 2/5 fruit: Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Ezra Brooks 99: A high-proof value bottle from Lux Row. The nose is quiet, but the palate is bolder, with creamy caramel, brown sugar and a nutty, peanut-like edge.
- 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 Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a lower price point.
- 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 rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).