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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Four Roses Small Batch Select and Smooth Ambler Old Scout are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$55 – $65 vs. ~$40 – $50).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years +1 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +5 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$40 – $50 ~$15 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 6/6 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- 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 Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).