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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Bulleit Bourbon
On paper Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Bulleit Bourbon are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (99 vs. 90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$25 – $32 ~$17 less |
- 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/4 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
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 slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).