Compare
Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, rye-forward bottling versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$45 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 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.
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
heat 6/8 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
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 Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)).