Smooth Ambler Cask Strength Rye (Founder’s Series) is a cask strength rye distilled by a brand that’s done it right from the beginning. Before their distillery was built, Smooth Ambler sourced whiskey from IN and KY and they didn’t hide it. They knew they were finding good stock and bringing it to market and that was all that needed to be said.
Smooth Ambler, James E Pepper and High West are some of the best examples of how to honestly source whiskey, build a brand and then build a distillery. They’re the ones people should be looking at as examples, but unfortunately, it seems far too many brands are taking a page from Templeton’s book instead. And that’s a duplicitous book to be avoided at all costs.
Now, I’m gonna step down from my soapbox, pour another glass of this Smooth Ambler Founder’s Rye and get to drinkin’!
Smooth Ambler Cask Strength Rye (Founder’s Series) – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Rye (Straight)
Region: West Virginia, USA
Distiller: Smooth Ambler
Mash Bill: 88% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 5 Years
ABV: 61.8%
Batch: 1
Smooth Ambler Cask Strength Rye Price: $55*
Related Whiskey
Smooth Ambler Rye
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Private Stock
Old Scout Single Barrel
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel
Old Scout American Whiskey 107 – West Virginia Pick
Smooth Ambler Cask Strength RyeTasting Notes
EYE
Ruddy oak
NOSE
Oak, dried dark fruit, herbally-dilly-rye spice, hazelnuts, citrus, cocoa and a touch bready.
Rich, darkly fruity, oaky, spicy… this is an excellent rye!
PALATE
Oaky, dilly, herbally, darkly fruity, cocoa, coppery, crackers and dried blueberries, baking spice and bready.
Heavy and rich with layers of spice, this is a true rye drinker’s rye!
FINISH
Long -> Oak, dilly, herbally spice, and leathery cocoa.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Perfect, full round, heavy
Smooth Ambler Cask Strength Rye (Founder’s Series) – Overall Thoughts and Score
So close to a 5/5. I’m looking for a bit more oaky depth, a bit more complexity and yes, I’m nitpicking. But, it’s those nit-picky details are what push a 4.5 to a 5. And this one comes so damn close you could think of it as a 4.75 if you really want to.
Rich, warm, and heavy, this Smooth Ambler Cask Strength Rye (Founder’s Series) is a serious rye. So deep and serious that I didn’t want to make a cocktail with it… but I did and it was one of the best Perfect Manhattans I’ve had in a long time. If you’re a fan of rye you need to hunt this down.
SCORE: 4.5/5 (very good, highly recommended ~ A- | 90-93)
*Disclosure: The bottle for this rye review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Smooth Ambler Cask Strength Rye (Founder's Series) Review $55
Overall
4.5- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4)
- BBF (5)
