Hand-Selected by Our Spirits Buyers: Smooth Ambler
5 Year Old “Old Scout” Single Barrel Bottlings
“We’ve tasted through literally dozens of barrels to select these few excellent choices,
so you can drink with confidence.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer
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Smooth Ambler’s “Old Scout” lineup is a throwback to the excellence of their aged MGP bourbon, which used to define the character of our wildly popular Faultline bottling. After a break to let the whiskies age, we’re thrilled to announce that we have five new K&L exclusive single barrel selections ready for your enjoyment. The original Old Scout was released at 5 years old back in 2011, and we’ve followed the same path here, with all these bottlings clocking in at the same age. While still young, these bourbons show remarkable depth and provide a preview of the inimitable character Old Scout has to offer. Our buyers have chosen what they think are the best five barrels to be had, and all offer unique variations on a common theme. May we suggest that a five-part side-by-side tasting might be in order? Snap these bottles up now to experience the nuances of Old Scout.
Smooth Ambler 5 Year Old “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Barrel #23890 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)
After years of pining for the days of bourbon yore, we’ve finally come full circle to re-release the Ol’ Old Scout in its original form. There’s been tons of confusion on the market due to Smooth Ambler’s recent release of a large parcel of Tennessee bourbon, which was acquired from the famous distillery at Cascade Hollow, but this product is not that. Those whiskies are much loved by certain folks but show a completely different character than the original Old Scout. The brand became famous for bottling excellent bourbon and rye sourced from a fine distillery in Indiana. Those excellent whiskies were once the backbone for our now extinct Faultline Bourbon. Until now they haven’t had enough aged stock to spare single barrels for this program. Now that their stocks are finally coming of age, they’ve re-released these excellent bourbons at a respectable 5 years of age. This is the very same age that the original Old Scout was released way back in 2011. We’re very lucky to have scooped up several barrels before the rest of the market has realized that these are back on the table. We’ll likely continue to see the age statements on these excellent whiskies increase over the years, but even now the stupendous complexity of these bourbons at this lovely, youthful age is extremely satisfying. This High Rye bourbon (36% rye) was barreled in Char #4 on 11/17/14 and bottled 7/31/20 at 118.4 proof. With a loss of 27%, it yielded only 192 bottles.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 18, 2021
This gorgeous barrel of MGP bourbon is as classic as they get. The nose has surprising lift coupled with some cocoa powder, maple wood, and a big burnt Seville peel. Then come some pungent tropical fruit and a bevy of exotic spices (tons of cinnamon), plus some salted caramel. On the palate, it stays ultra-lifted and bright. The orange peel remains along with some gorgeous barrel spice and hints of white pepper and fresh herbs. This one is a bit pricklier than some of the darker, richer barrels we’ve had, but if you’re a fan of a kick of spice and don’t want something too sweet, this the barrel for you.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 17, 2021
Perhaps my favorite cocktailing barrel of the current lineup. The higher proof helps this whiskey sit up straight in any mixed drink. I particularly like this with a sweeter style vermouth, since the whisky itself has the gusto. If you like your whiskey to push you around and assert itself, look no further. Cinnamon, sweet nutmeg, and allspice notes battle it out with all variety of peppercorn. The barrel notes sand the harder edges down with a little coconut and vanilla salve. Let your inner bartender go wild.
Smooth Ambler 5 Year Old “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Barrel #24270 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 17, 2021
If you’re struggling to pick between our incredible selection of Smooth Ambler barrels, don’t stress too much. We’ve tasted through literally dozens of barrels to select these few excellent choices, so you can drink with confidence. The intrigue of these barrels is in the subtlety of the differences. All show a seriously robust spice profile and a hearty helping of quality American oak. The insane thing is that they’re here and available at an absurdly sharp price. Anything but new-make MGP is tough to find these days, and anyone who has it wants to charge an arm and leg because they can. John Little and the Smooth Ambler team haven’t cornered the market on great MGP whisky; they’re just among the few producers willing to sell it at fair prices and unadulterated cask strength. We saw the opportunity and stocked up while the gettin’ was good. If you insist on needing a barrel note, #24270 is a Werther’s Original caked in green peppercorn.
Smooth Ambler 5 Year Old “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Barrel #24295 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 18, 2021
In many ways, this barrel feels the most typically “MGP.” The nose wafts out of the glass with plenty of caramel and spicy oak, hints of dill, and orange peel in the background. As it opens the vanilla takes along with the clove and cinnamon. On the palate, sweet brown sugar and dark cherries couple with that big vanilla continuing throughout. Clove runs through the entire thing with a rich caramel aroma balancing on the medium-long finish. Very personable and approachable. An easy one to recommend to anyone, even a bourbon novice.
Smooth Ambler 5 Year Old “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Barrel #27990 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 18, 2021
This barrel is a nice contrast to several of the others that hinge on the big orange peel and toasted vanilla flavors. Here we’re much more on the woodsy and baked fruit notes. Dark wood spice, underbrush, baked apples, old teak, and varnish. On the palate, we’re still on the richer side of things with significant weight and big spice. A dark cherry sweetness keeps it balanced and builds into a menthol and red fruit finish. Long and lingering, it doesn’t have the grip you might expect on the strong entry. The diversity of flavors we see across these barrels is so incredible, despite their similar specs. Each one offers something new and exciting.
Smooth Ambler 5 Year Old “Old Scout” K&L Exclusive Barrel #28125 Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 18, 2021
This barrel shows yet another diverse set of flavors compared to its compatriots. On the nose, big sugar candies, sweet poached pears, hints of licorice, and fresh oak. On the palate, it’s very creamy and rich with an almond buttery quality that doesn’t exist in any of the other barrels. Round and sweet but not lacking in spice considering the high rye. There’s subtle funky earthiness that kind of reminds me of Wild Turkey. If the other barrels don’t sound up your alley, with their red fruit or orange peel characters, this might be the perfect choice for you. You can feel the textural richness that the additional evaporation has created, but it still has that kick that so many bourbon drinkers love.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 17, 2021
Coming in at a very pretty 112.6 proof, this barrel riffs on the high rye spice but with a cooler palate. It’s more cocoa dust and caramelized citrus peel. The freshly ground pepper and savory, fresh cut grass note balances well with the citrus, which makes itself known on the nose, palate, and finish.
