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Rowan's Creek vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Rowan's Creek and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rowan's Creek | 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 | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$40 – $50 |
- Rowan's Creek 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
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/6 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
- 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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).