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Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky and Smooth Ambler Old Scout is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$55 – $60 vs. ~$40 – $50).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky | 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 | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $60 | ~$40 – $50 ~$13 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky: Old Forester given a second barrel, which loads it with dessert notes: toffee, buttercream and milk chocolate over heavy char. Sweet and rich for 93 proof.
- 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 1910 Old Fine Whisky if you want a double-barreled, dessert-sweet bourbon with heavy char at a modest proof.
- 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 lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).