Compare
Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +17 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$28 – $36 ~$13 less |
- Jefferson’s Very 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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/2 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).