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Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Put Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon next to Smooth Ambler Old Scout and you have a contemporary, high-wheat craft build set against a blender-built, high-rye bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 5 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +12 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $45 | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/7 spice: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
- 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 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm.
- 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 more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).