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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a blender-built, spice-driven bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +17 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$13 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/6 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- 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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a lower price point.
- 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 rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).