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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Put Smooth Ambler Old Scout next to E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and you have a sourced, high-rye blend set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ~$23 less | ~$45 – $90 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 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. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/5 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
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 lower price point.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).