Compare
Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by age (5 years vs. 10 years).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | 10 years +5 yr |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +8 proof | 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 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.
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 8 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 5 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year: The older version of Bulleit's high-rye bourbon. Ten years add a lot of oak and leather to the usual rye spice, and the finish turns dry and woody.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year if you want an oak-forward, ten-year high-rye bourbon at a gentle proof with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks (Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year).