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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Maker’s Mark 46 and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a blender-built, spice-driven bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Maker’s Mark 46: Finished with seared French oak staves inside the barrel, which adds the spice and wood that the standard bottling deliberately lacks. The most useful upgrade in the Maker's range.
- 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 Maker’s Mark 46 if you want the softness of Maker's Mark with real oak and spice layered over it.
- 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 (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).