Smooth Ambler Old Scout 107 Proof American Whiskey

Liquor store pick - barrel #10330. Golden color. The initial aroma upon opening was a bit of ethanol, leather, and oak, but after 10 minutes it transformed completely, resembling cherry cola, cinnamon, and vanilla. The ethanol lingers but isn't overpowering. Thin and immediately spicy, with notes of chocolate-covered cherries and a medium, warm finish. A second or third (perhaps fourth now?) tasting reveals some of the malty, floral MGP characteristics. I don't detect much oak or leather, but perhaps a hint of tobacco. For the cost, it's acceptable. It's neither smooth nor complex, and I'm not sure I would purchase it again, but it's not regrettable either. It leaves a tingling sensation on the lips that extends beyond most of the finish, which might deter a new neat bourbon drinker. For those who prefer MGP, Dickel, or KC, this likely won't disappoint. ————— Revisit - The legs are quite quick once they become visible. The aroma reminds me of pecan pie, sweet but ultimately nutty. There's a noticeable warmth but no alcohol aroma. First sip tasted like pecan pie with brown butter and lots of sugar. The body is thin to medium but oily, delivering a wave of allspice and heat. The heat on the palate subsides within about a minute, leaving a pleasant warm sensation in the chest and a mouthful of pecan pie again. It appears that from the initial pours to now, the malt and chocolate cherries have shifted towards a more derby or pecan pie profile. The nuttiness is something I didn't anticipate. Considering this seems to be a blend of 9-year-old MGP and 5-year-old Dickel, I must admit this is a new flavor profile for me. No clove, no vitamins, and somehow nuts... It might be that I sampled Bourye (a 10+ year MGP bourbon-rye blend) right before this, or perhaps one of the base whiskeys was aged in second-use barrels. It might be worth revisiting soon!! The score is held back due to the heat (not quite Booker's level), but the excellent coating sensation and novel pecan pie flavors warrant an increase from 3 to at least 3.75 (if not 4 for the nutty novelty).

Discovered this store pick at Pour Vous; for $35, I decided to investigate. Initially, the aroma presented some ethanol. However, after letting it rest for 5 minutes, the alcohol vapors subsided, revealing notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and a touch of smokiness. The taste is moderately sweet, with a prominent corn presence that immediately stands out. Following the first sip, revisiting the aroma, I detected much more corn than was previously apparent. The palate continues with subtle hints of barrel and leather. The finish has a slight sharpness and leans towards the drier side. Adding approximately 5 drops of water truly opened up the spirit. Suddenly, fruit notes appeared on the nose. The palate remained similar to before, but cherries were noticeable this time. Overall, a truly excellent bottle and price, particularly for a store pick. This is one of the uncommon instances where a few drops of water enhanced my enjoyment.

I picked this up after hearing it might be MGP stock. The aroma is subtle, mostly alcohol with a faint sweetness. After a few minutes, gentle caramel emerges, but overall, the nose is quite restrained. The initial taste mirrors the aroma: a mild alcoholic sting and smooth, creamy caramel. Unfortunately, it doesn't develop further, offering only a hint of drying spice before a clean finish. It's extremely mild, neutral, and unremarkable.

I'm tasting a hand-selected bottle (Barrel 12172). The nose is very pleasant, with floral notes alongside oak, caramel, vanilla, maple, and brown sugar; perhaps a bit of leather. The alcohol scent is somewhat strong but not overwhelming. The palate is smooth at first and in the middle. There's a small kick at the end that lingers for a good while (107 Proof). Oak flavors, faint cherry, green apples. This is the first taste, I'll provide more details later. Adding one ice cube completely changed it. It now tastes flat. The nose remains very nice, but the taste has flattened out. I'll try a few drops of water next time.

Barrel #14439 - The aroma is powerfully maple and brown sugar. The palate features significant sugar with a touch of cherry, resulting in a smooth, sweet burn. The finish isn't intensely hot, but the flavor persists for several minutes. It acts more like a developing bourbon than a standard whiskey. Barrel #10502. It smells of honey and leather. The taste, while smooth, is not fully mature. Honey is the primary note, reminiscent of a subtle "Blade and Bow" flavor. It shows promise but doesn't meet the quality of whiskey typically priced at forty dollars.

A barrel selection from Total Wine, featuring whiskey sourced from MGP and Dickel. The aroma exhibits butterscotch and alcohol. The palate shows Dickel's characteristic medicinal notes, along with some fruit and an abundance of gritty corn. The finish is characterized by heavy, drying oak and warmth. It's not worth the cost, and I found it quite disappointing overall. I admit it's reasonably smooth for its proof, but I prefer some actual flavor in my bourbon rather than just a smooth vehicle for alcohol (and I'm not apologizing for that).