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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$40 – $50 vs. ~$150 – $180).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye 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) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$120 less | ~$150 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 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.
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/9 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend: Older sourced bourbon finished in sherry, Cognac and then Armagnac casks. Dense dried fruit, fig and orange over cigar leaf and charred 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 Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend if you want a fruit-packed, multi-cask-finished bourbon built to go with a cigar.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat (Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend).