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Smooth Ambler Old Scout vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Smooth Ambler Old Scout and Woodford Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (99 vs. 90.4).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Smooth Ambler Old Scout | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$35 – $42 ~$7 less |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/4 heat: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).