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Penelope Four Grain vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Put Penelope Four Grain next to Smooth Ambler Old Scout and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a sourced, high-rye blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$10 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- Penelope Four Grain does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
heat 2/6 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Penelope Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
- 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 Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a slightly lower price point.
- 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 with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).