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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Put Smooth Ambler Old Scout next to E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$60 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 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.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/5 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).