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Knob Creek 9 Year vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Knob Creek 9 Year and Smooth Ambler Old Scout are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is age (9 years vs. 5 years).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years +4 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 ~$8 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- Knob Creek 9 Year 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
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the 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 Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement at a slightly 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).