Compare
Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Uncle Nearest 1856
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Uncle Nearest 1856 reveals a matchup between a blender-built, spice-driven bottling and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$18 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 lower price point.
- Go with Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).