Last weekend, after a long day stocking shelves and talking wine pairings at the store, I finally got around to opening a bottle that had been sitting on my shelf for months—Smooth Ambler Old Scout 10 Year. You know those bottles that stare at you every time you walk by the cabinet? This was one of them. It had been silently whispering, “Come on, Jeff… it’s time.” And I’m glad I finally listened.
I poured myself a neat glass, sat out on the porch as the sun started dipping behind the trees along the Lakeshore, and took that first deep sniff. Right away, I got this beautiful wave of vanilla and toasted oak—classic bourbon hallmarks—but underneath that, there was a rich layer of dried fruit and a touch of spice that made me sit up a little straighter. You can tell this whiskey spent some serious time in the barrel.
Now, for anyone not familiar, Smooth Ambler is a West Virginia distillery that built its reputation by sourcing exceptional barrels from other producers—mainly MGP in Indiana—and bottling them under the “Old Scout” label. The “Scout” part is fitting, because they really did hunt down some gems. The 10-year bottling is one of their older sourced releases, made from a high-rye mash bill that gives it a distinctive peppery backbone. This isn’t one of those modern, “flavored-with-syrup” bourbons; this is bourbon with character, and a little swagger in its step.
The nose alone was worth the price of admission—sweet caramel, brown sugar, a hint of orange peel, and a dusting of cinnamon. The kind of aroma that makes you want to take your time. When I finally took a sip, it hit me with a burst of rich toffee and oak, followed by something that reminded me of cherry cola and old leather. There’s a dry, spicy note toward the back that keeps it from feeling too heavy. The finish? Long and warming, like a slow fade from a good campfire.
At 100 proof, Old Scout 10 walks that fine line beautifully—it’s bold enough to stand out, but not so hot that it burns your taste buds into submission. I actually prefer sipping this one neat, though a single cube of ice opens up a bit of honey and tobacco that’s downright addictive. It’s got that “just right” balance that makes you want another pour.
I’ve got to say, this bottle surprised me. A lot of sourced bourbons over the past few years have felt like re-runs of the same show—decent, but familiar. This one? It’s got depth. You can taste the patience in the wood. And maybe that’s the thing I appreciate most—it doesn’t try to reinvent bourbon; it reminds you why you fell in love with it in the first place.
Now, let’s talk value. When Old Scout 10 first came out, you could snag it for around $55 to $65. These days, depending on where you find it, you might see it closer to $80 or even $100, thanks to scarcity and the cult following it’s built over time. Is it worth it? Honestly, if you’re a fan of high-rye, well-aged bourbon with real complexity—yes. But if your wallet’s feeling light, Smooth Ambler’s Old Scout 6 or 7 Year bottlings deliver a similar experience for much less, and they’re still a solid pour.
To give some perspective, if Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is the heavyweight champion—full-bodied and ready to punch—then Old Scout 10 is more like the middleweight with finesse. It’s got power, but it’s all about balance. Compared to something like Four Roses Single Barrel, you get a bit more oak and spice from the Ambler, whereas Four Roses leans floral and fruity. It’s all about what mood you’re in.
One thing that’s always drawn me to Smooth Ambler as a brand is their transparency. They’ve never hidden the fact that they source some of their whiskey. In fact, they wear it proudly, and they do it well. They even started blending their own distillate in recent years under the Contradiction line—a mix of sourced bourbon and their in-house spirit—which shows they’re playing the long game. But the Old Scout line remains their calling card, especially for bourbon drinkers who appreciate honesty and craftsmanship.
Here’s the thing about a bottle like this: it’s a conversation starter. Every time I’ve poured it for friends, someone inevitably says, “Wow, that’s smoother than I expected,” or “Where’d you find this?” It’s the kind of bourbon that makes people rethink what a 10-year MGP whiskey can taste like. It doesn’t have the name recognition of a Buffalo Trace or a Woodford Reserve, but that’s part of the charm—it feels like a secret handshake between bourbon lovers.
If you ever come across a bottle of Smooth Ambler Old Scout 10, my advice is simple: grab it. Even if you don’t open it right away, it’s one worth saving for a good night. Maybe after a long week, or when a couple of friends drop by and you want to pour something that feels special without being showy. It’s the kind of bourbon that rewards patience—both in how it’s made and how it’s enjoyed.
Final thoughts? Smooth Ambler Old Scout 10 reminds me why I love this hobby. It’s about discovery, about finding those bottles that tell a story. And this one tells it well: ten years of quiet aging, a distillery that earned its reputation through honesty and taste, and a bourbon that manages to be classic and distinctive all at once.
So yeah—if you see it, don’t overthink it. Just buy the bottle, find a quiet evening, pour yourself a glass, and let the Old Scout do the talking.
