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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Jim Beam Black
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Jim Beam Black is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (99 vs. 86).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | 7 years +2 yr |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +13 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$22 – $28 ~$20 less |
- Jim Beam Black 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.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/4 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).