Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon 11 Year

This is my initial experience with Smooth Ambler and my first spirit from West Virginia. This single barrel Old Scout, aged 11 years, came in at 56.1% ABV. It's likely unfiltered and has a natural dark copper hue. The aroma immediately presents strong dill and mint, followed by rye and toasted corn. The scent suggests a potent palate ahead. It's very sweet with bubblegum, cotton candy, and candy corn notes. There's also rich tobacco, bold oak, brown sugar, maple, caramel, molasses, and spicy chocolate. A touch of fruitiness comes through with cherry hard candies and orange liqueur, alongside plenty of peanuts and some Brazil nuts. Contrary to the nose's prediction, the palate isn't nearly as intense. It features significant charred oak, rye, mint, and peanut flavors, with some cloves. It's somewhat fruity, offering apple skins, tart berries, and more peanuts. The spice level gradually increases but never becomes overwhelming. For an 11-year-old bourbon, it lacks considerable depth. It has a medium to full-bodied texture that coats the mouth and feels dry. The finish is a medium length, characterized by peanuts, oak, corn, and a very dry sensation. The aroma held great promise and suggested depth, but the palate ultimately revolved around peanuts after a few sips. When just relaxing and drinking without overanalyzing, it's quite decent and would probably be excellent with a large ice cube. It's not a bad bourbon, but at $54, you can find much better for less. Thank you to a friend for the sample. 3.75 Cheers

I purchased this bottle directly from the distillery in Maxwelton, WV. This is their Single Barrel, cask strength offering within their Old Scout bourbon line. This particular batch is 11 years old and comes in at a substantial 56.1% ABV. It presents a beautiful, shimmering amber in the glass and its aroma is characterized by strong vanilla, charred oak, and a subtle herbal note. It's composed of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% fairy dust. I drank it until it brought me joy and made me feel good about everything – that must have been the magic within. So, I can confirm that. On the palate, a delightful and creamy vanilla coats the tongue, leaving a pleasant residue of charred oak. Some sweet, red berries complement this profile nicely. It's remarkably smooth for such a high proof. The finish features more red berry fruitiness, vanilla, and a touch of leather tannins that linger, inviting another sip. Overall, a superb bourbon from a small, mountain-based distillery. If you encounter it at a bar or store, give it a try. It cost $54 at the distillery, but I suspect it might be a bit less expensive elsewhere. A great find. 4.25 stars. Enjoy, everyone.

I bought this on a whim from a liquor store in DC for around $85. My 11-year-old single barrel comes in at 50.9% ABV, which is quite low for cask strength. Smooth Ambler doesn't produce this spirit themselves; they pick fine barrels from MGP, a large distillery that supplies numerous craft bourbons. Well-chosen MGP barrels offer an exceptionally balanced aroma, and this bottling is no exception. It presents notes of toasted oak, bananas foster, and strawberry milkshake. The oak presence is significant. The oak that seemed poised to dominate the aroma aggressively strikes the palate with the first few sips. This is a dry, spicy, and piquant bourbon, possibly a year or so past its prime, as the oak spices are intense and almost minty at times. This bourbon concludes with a dry, woody finish, perhaps excessively so. Unfortunately, that woodiness overshadows some of the sweeter notes I'd prefer, veering towards an almost medicinal quality, strangely reminiscent of Islay scotches like Laphroaig. A subtle hint of black coffee adds further complexity to this drink after about a minute. I would prefer almost any Four Roses Private Selection to Old Scout at this price point.

Another sample kindly provided by a friend. I am obviously not tasting this correctly. After consuming an ounce of Laphroaig Cairdeas, I decided to have Halo chocolate chip ice cream, followed by this. A single barrel, 12-year-old bourbon might not be intended for consumption after a Cairdeas and with Halo high-protein ice cream. I found this excessively sweet, like candy corn, with a burnt mocha flavor (Laphroaig + Halo chocolate chip?). Fortunately, I still have an ounce left... I need to taste this on its own, without having had an amazing Cairdeas beforehand. My apologies, friend... I'm foolish enough to drink it after the Cairdeas, but wise enough to save half for another time.

Neat. A selection from Binny’s. 11 years old. Incredibly strong cherry on the nose, accompanied by abundant vanilla. A slight hint of mint, and some allspice as I delve deeper. Great, smooth mouthfeel. Cherry and vanilla on the palate transition to even more cherry and vanilla, leaving a lingering cherry and vanilla presence in the legs. Remarkable. The nose was delicate and nearly underwhelming. The rest delivered a delicious impact. This cherry flavor is the most intense and delightful cherry note I've encountered. Astonishing.

Nose- The rye is immediate, accompanied by cinnamon and dark chocolate. Body- Remarkably smooth to drink, yet it hits your palate with intensity, in a positive way. Finish- Mint and black pepper conclude the experience. Note- Recommended by someone we met at the bar. Note- This was actually the twelve year expression. I had it at Bluegrass Tabern in Lexington KY.