Compare
Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and W.L. Weller Special Reserve reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated 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) +9 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$30 – $60 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve 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.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/2 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 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.
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve: The entry point to the Weller line and an easy introduction to wheated bourbon. Soft honey and vanilla with almost no rye bite, a bread-dough body, and a short, sweet finish that asks nothing of you.
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 slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).