Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970 Review

Continuing this mini-trend of reviewing PlumpJack single barrel picks we’re digging into the Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970 today. Like the last Smooth Ambler Old Scout single barrel this one is a high-rye bourbon mashbill and has also been aged for 11.5 years, though this one has a higher ABV.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970

It’s a single barrel of MGP bourbon initially bought by Smooth Ambler and then picked by PlumpJack in SF; there’s not much more to chat about up here so let’s get into the review.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970 Review: Details and Tasting Notes

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970 is from PlumpJack Wines in San Fran. A single barrelunique to them.

In Smooth Ambler’s Words: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970

“A select, single barrel edition, Old Scout Single Barrel is bottled at a unique cask-strength with each release reflecting the exact barrel proof of the distinct cask in which the whiskey was aged.”

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970 price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Indiana, USA

Distiller: MGP
Bottler: Smooth Ambler
Bottled For: PlumpJack Wine and Spirits
Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malt
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 11.5 Years
ABV: 56%

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Barrel: 5970

Price: $45

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970 Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy copper

NOSE
Oak, strawberry Necco, cherry heavy dried dark fruit, caramel, nutmeg, vanilla, brown sugar and a bit of banana taffy and pepper.

PALATE
Oak, cherry heavy dark fruit, toffee, nutmeg, molasses, cocoa Necco, vanilla and a bit of herbal and peanut quality.

FINISH
Long -> Oak, spice, dark fruit, herbal and peanuts

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, full body and a silken feel.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970 Review: OVERALL

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970 Review

SA SiBs are almost always a good bet for your money and this Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5970 is no exception. The aroma and palate both carry a nice rustic oakiness to them that get balanced out with the sweetness and the spice, The finish is an herbally spicy oak driven fade that’s perfectly pleasant but ends on a slightly metallic note that comes across as interesting… and odd.

It’s a good whiskey, but I like last week’s SAOS 6380 a bit more. It was a bit more cohesive and a bit more bold. Still, this is a good whiskey and worth the price of admission if it’s still available.

SCORE: 88/100 (B+)