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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Smooth Ambler Old Scout are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90 vs. 99).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 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
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
- 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, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).