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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, rye-forward bottling versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | 13 years +8 yr |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$205 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 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.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
heat 6/8 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof: Thirteen-year Wild Turkey at full barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered. Cola, molasses and fruit cobbler sit on deep, charred oak, and each release carries its own proof.
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 Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof if you want an old, uncut Wild Turkey with cola, cobbler and serious oak with an older age statement and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).