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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Basil Hayden’s
Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Basil Hayden’s are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (99 vs. 80).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +19 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$38 – $45 |
- Basil Hayden’s 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.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/2 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
oak 6/3 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).