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Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and Smooth Ambler Old Scout is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$150 – $180 vs. ~$40 – $50).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +2 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $180 | ~$40 – $50 ~$120 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 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
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 9/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 9 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend: Older sourced bourbon finished in sherry, Cognac and then Armagnac casks. Dense dried fruit, fig and orange over cigar leaf and charred oak.
- 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 Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend if you want a fruit-packed, multi-cask-finished bourbon built to go with a cigar.
- 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 (Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).