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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs David Nicholson Reserve
Put Smooth Ambler Old Scout next to David Nicholson Reserve and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | David Nicholson Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional 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 | ~$30 – $40 ~$10 less |
- David Nicholson Reserve 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 Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout David Nicholson Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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 Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
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 Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve).