Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel #27728

Sampled neat after a neck pour. Having acquired a considerable amount of 5-year MGP last year, it was a pleasure to see Old Scout return to the MGP lineage. However, candidly, five years is insufficient for MGP. While it possesses enjoyable flavors, an unmistakable graininess and youthful character persist. One of the recent OHLQ selections, aged six years, provides an interesting point of comparison. Remarkably, that additional year profoundly impacts the aroma. The fundamental flavors are as anticipated, but the grainy, immature quality has vanished. Deep notes of caramel, buttery pie crust, apple, and cinnamon emerge in succession. A subtle suggestion of oak and leather is present. This expression presents as a dark MGP. The palate has a syrupy texture, delivering immediate tastes of brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon. It's not as dark as the nose implied, concentrating on mid-palate flavors. It evokes buttered pecan pie, intensely buttery, with abundant caramel and a hint of apple. The finish is packed with cinnamon, and the honey becomes increasingly prominent, a dark, rich honey. A minor touch of grain is detectable on the finish, but far less than the 5-year. It's highly enjoyable and an excellent value at $50. Thus, seven years appears to be the optimal aging period for MGP to reach greatness, yet this 6-year bottling was still a worthwhile acquisition. Its flavor profile is abundant. The pecan pie with copious caramel drizzle and cinnamon accurately describes it. A fine OHLQ offering.

A robust exterior containing a smooth interior, like the slightly intimidating 59.6% Old Scout bourbon that truly lives up to its distillery's moniker of smoothness. To be sure, the nose is all turpentine as one might anticipate, but the flavor is a warming, complex blend of spice and aged mahogany, leading to an incredible finish of fresh peas, port, and cherry candies. The color resembles a mountaineer's urine, yet I could happily savor a couple of glasses by the fire after a long day's journey through the American heartland.