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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Wild Turkey Rare Breed reveals a matchup between a blender-built, spice-driven bottling and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Wild Turkey Rare Breed |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 116 proof (58% ABV) +17 proof |
| 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.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
heat 6/8 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10
spice 7/8 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
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 Wild Turkey Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles cost with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Rare Breed).