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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 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 | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years +1 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$25 less | ~$65 – $75 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 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.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/9 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year: Willett's own young distillate at full barrel proof. It is loud and sweet, all caramel corn, pastry and citrus, with a lot of heat for a four-year bourbon. Proof varies by batch.
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 Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year if you want a young, hot, barrel-proof pour that shows off Willett's own distillate with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).