Compare
Woodford Reserve vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Woodford Reserve and Smooth Ambler Old Scout is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (90.4 vs. 99).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 ~$7 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/6 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- 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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a slightly lower price point.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).