Compare
Uncle Nearest 1856 vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Uncle Nearest 1856 and Smooth Ambler Old Scout reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Uncle Nearest 1856 | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$40 – $50 ~$18 less |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 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
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Uncle Nearest 1856 Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).