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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, rye-forward blend versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | 8 years +3 yr |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV) +12 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$95 less | ~$130 – $150 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 8 out of 10
fruit 5/8 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 8 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 7 out of 10
heat 6/6 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13: Bardstown's annual blend of older sourced bourbons. Rich and dessert-like, with creme brulee, toffee and dark fruit over peppery oak.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 if you want a rich, dessert-like annual blend of older Kentucky bourbons with more proof behind it and with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat (Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13).