Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 Bourbon Review

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Produced and bottled by Smooth Ambler but sourced from an undisclosed distillery (most likely MGP).
• MASH BILL: 60% corn | 36% Rye | 4% Malted Barley
• AGE: 7 years old
• YEAR: 2024
• PROOF: 99 proof
• MSRP: $65
• BUY ONLINE: Smooth Ambler's Website

Drew's NOTES

SHARE WITH: Smooth Ambler fans who fled the brand after Big Level. MGP lovers.

WORTH THE PRICE: The retail price is twice what a bottle of Old Scout 7 used to cost 10 years ago. But those were different times before uber premiumization. Hell, Heaven Hill 6 Year was still $11.99 back then. This price, unfortunately, seems about right.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. It helps that the bourbon is pretty good, but you'll also want this on your shelf for the story, especially if you've followed the brand since its earliest days. After some stumbles, it feels like Smooth Ambler is squarely back on solid footing, and this bourbon is something of a return to its former glory.

OVERALL: Remember when Smooth Ambler exploded onto the American whiskey landscape over a decade ago (2011, to be exact)? They were honest about their sourcing (or "scouting," as they called it), which helped drinkers see past the fact that they were drinking someone else's whiskey. It was very good whiskey - occasionally great - and its popularity helped fuel the rise of Smooth Ambler (along with other NDPs) and the now infamous contract producer MGP. In time, whiskey drinkers in the know went from avoiding bottles labeled "Distilled in Indiana" to seeking them out.

While Old Scout bourbon was bottled as a 10-year-old and older (the rare Very Old Scout), it was the 7-year-old expression that saw the most comprehensive distribution and put the distillery on the map. Eventually, fans went so far as to fly private planes into the airport next to the Maxwelton, West Virginia distillery to line up for limited edition single barrels. But the good times couldn't last. Those early MGP stocks dried up faster than expected, and in 2016, the Old Scout label had to be discontinued while new MGP stocks matured.

In the meantime, American Whiskey and Big Level happened, somewhat tarnishing the brand's reputation. Still, Contradiction (a blend of their remaining MGP and in-house whiskey) was a reminder that Smooth Ambler had cards left to play. And their young, house-distilled whiskey was impressing distillery visitors (well, me, at least). In 2019, Old Scout returned without an age statement but reportedly hovered around 5 years old. It was just an OK bourbon, but it set the stage for the return of the 7-year, which finally hit shelves in March.

And seven years seems to be just about the right age for Smooth Ambler's current lot of scouted bourbon. The aroma is warm, with savory notes of saddle leather, oak, dark caramel, and brown butter. The palate shows a bit more sweetness than the nose, but things still skew more toward the wood and spice corners of the flavor wheel. Notes of peanut brittle, ground cinnamon and apple sauce are well-integrated and wrapped in a gentle Kentucky hug. The easy, generous finish sees a flourish of rich, simple syrup and sugared pecans.

Now, the big question I'm sure you're dying to ask: Is this the same Old Scout 7 of yesteryear? No. How could it be? It's a new thing entirely, its own thing, and a welcome addition to the Smooth Ambler portfolio.

BRAND NOTES

The significant rye content adds bold, sweet and spicy flavors. If you ask us, it’s best enjoyed neat but, it also makes a heck of a cocktail.  We’ll let you decide that. Our experts at the distillery share a few tasting notes  to look out for: 

Color: copper, gold hues

Nose:  apple, leather, cherry pipe tobacco

Palate: bold, sweet, spicy

Finish: long, smooth 

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.