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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs David Nicholson 1843
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and David Nicholson 1843 reveals a matchup between a blender-built, spice-driven bottling and a sourced, wheated blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | David Nicholson 1843 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$25 – $35 ~$15 less |
- David Nicholson 1843 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.
David Nicholson 1843
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout David Nicholson 1843
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/3 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 7 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 4 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, David Nicholson 1843 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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.
- David Nicholson 1843: A long-running wheated label at 100 proof. Smooth vanilla and caramel with a soft, bready body and a touch more spice than you would expect from a wheater.
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.
- Go with David Nicholson 1843 if you want a smooth, 100-proof wheater with a long history at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (David Nicholson 1843).