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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Eagle Rare 10 Year
Put Smooth Ambler Old Scout next to Eagle Rare 10 Year and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Eagle Rare 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | 10 years +5 yr |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$8 less | ~$40 – $65 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Eagle Rare 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.
Eagle Rare 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Eagle Rare 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/4 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 4 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Eagle Rare 10 Year 5 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.
- Eagle Rare 10 Year: A 10-year age statement at a gentle 90 proof gives this a polished, dry-oak elegance rather than power. Toffee and orange peel lead into leather and dried fruit, with a long, notably dry 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 at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Eagle Rare 10 Year if you want an elegant, older, low-proof sipper where refinement matters more than intensity with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 10 Year).