Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Review

As one of the preeminent MGP bottlers, SA has long been able to pick cherry barrels from MGPs warehouse and for nearly as long liquor stores have been able to select a Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel for their store. This particular barrel was chosen by PlumpJack in San Francisco.

The only reason MGP ever got a bad rep has nothing to do with them, but the bad actors who bought their whiskey and then lied about the source. Though I think that’s mostly passed and they’re held in an esteem they should be: as a quality distillery and I give some of the credit to that turnaround / readjusting of mentality to transparent NDPs like Smooth Ambler.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Review: Details and Tasting Notes

A single barrel of Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Color picked by PlumpJack up in San Francisco.

In Smooth Ambler’s Words: Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel

“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 Single Barrel 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: 13.5 Years
ABV: 53.2%

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Barrel: 6380

Price: $45

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy caramel

NOSE
Oak, caramel, spice, vanilla, leather, tobacco with a touch of roasted grains and chalk.

PALATE
Oak, caramel, cinnamon heavy spice, vanilla, leather, tobacco, dark fruit with a bit of roasted grains and chalk.

FINISH
Long -> Oak, spice, dark fruit, vanilla taffy and chalk.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
A touch off balance, full body and a bit chalky in the feel.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Review: OVERALL

This barrel of Smooth Ambler Old Scout (6380) is quite nice, a bit off balance, but still quite nice in a rustic oak bomb sort of way. The aroma starts rustic and oaky, turns a bit sweet and then boomerangs right back to oaky and chalky. The palate follows a similar circle though noticeably less sweet all around. The finish comes with oak and spice and a touch of sweetness before dying out chalky.

I like this bourbon, it’s an easy whiskey to enjoy. It’s edging towards over-oaked, but they cut it short by bottling it and saved it from potentially being a disaster. They pulled it at a good point in time and ended up with something tasty and fun.

SCORE: 88/100 (B+)