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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Put Smooth Ambler Old Scout next to Willett Pot Still Reserve and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against a contemporary, corn-forward craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional 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) +5 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$8 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- Willett Pot Still 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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).