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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Blanton’s Single Barrel
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Blanton’s Single Barrel is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$40 – $50 vs. ~$80 – $150).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Blanton’s Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +6 proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$70 less | ~$80 – $150 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel 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.
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Blanton’s Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/4 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
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 Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel).