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W.L. Weller Full Proof vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
W.L. Weller Full Proof and Smooth Ambler Old Scout sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus a blender-built, rye-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Full Proof | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) +15 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $120 | ~$40 – $50 ~$40 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- W.L. Weller Full Proof does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
W.L. Weller Full Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Full Proof Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: W.L. Weller Full Proof 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: W.L. Weller Full Proof 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
heat 7/6 heat: W.L. Weller Full Proof 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: W.L. Weller Full Proof 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- W.L. Weller Full Proof: Weller's wheated bourbon bottled at its barrel-entry proof of 114, without chill filtering. Coffee cake, caramel and cinnamon with a bold, warming body.
- 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 W.L. Weller Full Proof if you want a bold, sweet wheater bottled at barrel-entry proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (W.L. Weller Full Proof); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).