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Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Put Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 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 | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | 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 | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$40 – $50 ~$65 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 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
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
- 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 Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).