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Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash and Smooth Ambler Old Scout sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a blender-built, rye-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 7% rye, 6% wheat, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years +4 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$8 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 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
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash
Very good. Flavorful without being too powerful.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash: Nine-year Heaven Hill in two flavors at once: the classic rye recipe brings structure and nutty oak, while a third of wheated bourbon rounds off the edges. It drinks fuller and softer than the standard bonded bottle.
- 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 Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash if you want a well-aged bonded bourbon that blends Heaven Hill's rye and wheat recipes into one balanced pour.
- 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 slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).