Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 year Single Barrel #13083

Whisky: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 year Single Barrel #13083

Producer: Smooth Ambler Spirits Co. (Pernod Ricard)

Distillery: Sourced from George Dickel Distillery

Whisky Type: Single Barrel Straight Bourbon

Region: West Viriginia

Age: 12 years

ABV: 48.8% Cask Strength

Aged in Cask:  New charred American Oak

Price Range: $$

Smooth Ambler Spirits Company was founded in 2009 by John Little in the Appalachian Hills of West Virginia. The distillery uses local grains, and from its website, it seems to portray the image of a craft distillery.

The company has several expressions in the market:

• Contradiction (Blend of Straight Bourbons. Wheated, and rye bourbons)
• Big Level (Wheated Bourbon bottled at 100% proof)
• Old Scout Custom Single Barrel Bourbon (high rye mash)
• Old Scout Rye Single Barrel (95% rye)
• Old Scout Straight Bourbon (Blend of Straight Bourbons)

Back in the 2010’s MGP was the company’s supplier of sourced whiskey for Old Scout, a few years later, the demand outpaced the supply, and the company had to redirect their sourced whiskey to Tennessee, presumably, George Dickel. The name “Old Scout” refers to “scouting” the whiskey from another distillery based on Smooth Ambler Spirits’ specifications.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 year Single Barrel Select Straight Bourbon has a mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malt from Tennessee aged for twelve years, and bottled at 48.8% ABV. Barrel# 13083.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 year Single Barrel #13083 Notes

Nose: Classic bourbon nose of caramel and oak.

Palate: Strong sweet flavor and wood notes consistent with the nose. Adding water brings up honey flavor, and the whisky improves as it becomes more balanced.

Finish: Medium mouth coating finish with oak spices.

Conclusion: I prefer this bourbon with water, but I expected more complexity from a 12-year-old bourbon when I had it neat. You might like it as the base spirit for a cocktail since it carries some punch. Cheers!

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Score: 2.5/5

Legend

$50 or less $

$51-$100 $$

$101-$150 $$$

151$ or more $$$$