Smooth Ambler Old Scout American Whiskey

Of all the whiskeys I've sampled, this was the most extreme example of a spirit needing time to 'open up.' Binny's had a few bottles on sale for $25, so I purchased one to try despite mixed assessments. The initial taste was almost undrinkable. Primarily ethanol on the nose and palate, with an unpleasant burn throughout. Essentially, something that should be in a plastic jug for $5-10. However, after sitting out for a while, it mellowed considerably and actually became a very enjoyable whiskey. Sweet on the nose, with the ethanol present but not overwhelming. I detected a lot of peanut and caramel on the palate, with a sweet and spicy finish. I'm uncertain if I'd pay full retail price, but if you see it for $25 near you, it's definitely worth considering.

Found this on clearance. Despite discouraging reviews, the sale price convinced me. This is from batch 66. Tasting notes: The nose has cotton candy, candy corn, pralines, rye, and a noticeable amount of alcohol. The palate is sweet and smooth with a subtle cola note; it became warmer the longer I held it. The finish felt hot and lingered, with cola and candy corn lingering in the background.

Rated 2.3/5.0. It's light and sweet but harsher than anticipated, with predominantly minty flavors. The color is light honey water, and the texture is very thin, resembling simple syrup made with raw sugar. The aroma is minty ethanol with a subtle hint of vanilla cookie sweetness. The palate immediately presents candied peanuts, quickly shifting to mint julep flavors, then to hard vanilla candies. The body is extremely thin, and the finish is quick, sweet, and astringent.

Some sweetness but the nose seems a bit young with some grain notes. It's not bad, but it definitely has some flaws. The taste is a bit harsh and truly carries over that youthful character. It definitely drinks stronger than its stated proof. Not a lot of sweetness on the palate and the finish isn't very pronounced. This one will be used for mixing, but I'm glad I've had a few pours from the bottle.

Poured neat. The aroma is of dusty wood, sugar, and vanilla chewing tobacco. The flavor presents earthy tobacco and burnt wood notes. There's also a subtle hint of red apple peel. The finish is moderately long, leaving a leathery and unsweetened chocolate taste on the tongue. This would be an ideal whiskey for a campfire setting.

The nose has a slight spiciness with honey, barley, brine, and a touch of savoriness. The palate is somewhat dry and smoky, with a muted honey sweetness and oakiness upfront, followed by cooked sugar and barley. The finish is short to medium, with diminishing honey and a lingering cinnamon spice.