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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +12 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$40 – $50 ~$37 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
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Smooth Ambler Old Scout
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Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
heat 7/6 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).