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Four Roses Bourbon vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Four Roses Bourbon and Smooth Ambler Old Scout is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (80 vs. 99).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$22 – $28 ~$20 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/6 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- 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 with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).