Compare
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a modern, wheated craft expression and a blender-built, spice-driven bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
- 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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body.
- 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 rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).