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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Put Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon next to Smooth Ambler Old Scout and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a blender-built, high-rye bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | 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 | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$40 – $50 ~$48 less |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 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 Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 8/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
- 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 Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate.
- 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 Straight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).