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Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select: Barrels pulled from the top of the rickhouse, where the temperature swings are hardest, and it shows as considerably more oak than any standard Jack. A genuinely different proposition from the black label.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select if you want a distinctly oakier, more concentrated Tennessee whiskey with barrel-to-barrel character.
- 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 (Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).