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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, spice-driven bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | 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 | 120 proof (60% ABV) +21 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 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 Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
heat 8/6 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- 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 Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost with an older age statement.
- 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 neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).