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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$40 – $50 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years +1 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).