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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Put Smooth Ambler Old Scout next to Jack Daniel’s 12 Year and you have a sourced, high-rye blend set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | 12 years +7 yr |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 ~$55 less | ~$80 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10
heat 6/6 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year).