Smooth Ambler Old Scout Rye 7 Year

Sample from a blind tasting by a friend. Smell: pencils and graphite give way to vanilla and new wood. Furniture polish emerges, followed by caramel corn. Taste: horseradish initially, then quickly softens to light caramel, cream, corn, and spearmint. Silky texture in the middle. Not much spice in the center. Sweet. Finish: Warmth builds then quickly vanishes, leaving a dry, bitter burnt sugar taste over a light syrupy coating. Pink peppercorn present.

After hearing many recommendations, I sampled this. Both the aroma and flavor are typical of an MGP rye. It presents the expected rye spice, but nothing particularly stands out to me. If you enjoy rye, you will find this palatable. It lacks the depth of some older varieties from different distilleries, but it's a dependable choice that is becoming increasingly difficult to acquire.

This is currently my top choice. The aroma evokes an old library, with scents of aged wood and sweet leather. On the palate, it mirrors the aroma, adding a touch of brown sugar. The finish includes a herbal dill note, not like dill pickles, but an herbaceous quality. It might sound unusual, but it's fantastic!

Quite enjoyable rye, with wonderful layers of baking spice, a slight hint of mint, and sweet dessert flavors lingering. It's remarkably smooth for its strength and superior to other whiskies at a comparable price point.

It has an awesome sensation from the moment it touches your lips until the vapors exit the back of your throat. The flavors are somewhat muted, but the overall experience more than compensates for it...

Four stars - It's smooth and spicy, nearly peppery, yet still quite sweet. The finish offers a distinct rye bread character with a hint of fruitiness. There's very little heat and a slightly dry sensation.