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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Smooth Ambler Old Scout are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$40 – $50).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | 5 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind 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 at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).