Smooth Ambler Old Scout Straight Bourbon Store Picks 6 Year

OLD SCOUT SOUTHPORT ABC 6YR Barrel No. 36379 (added a listing as the other store picks all seem to be 5 yr) *NOSE: Incredibly Hot, so I set my glencairn on a shelf and returned to it in 15 minutes to be greeted with Leather, Cocoa, Black Pepper, Dry Corn Dust, Dry Oak, and Dry Grass. There’s a Savory note that I have trouble placing at first, but it eventually clicks as Salted in the Shell Roasted Peanuts. *NEAT: Those Salted Roast Peanuts lead off, but are replaced mid-palate by Sweeter notes of Toffee, Maple, and Vanilla. The backend features some Drying Oak Tannins and Black Pepper leading into a Rough Hot Finish. Big KYHug deep in the chest as you feel every point of the 120 Proof. There is a Drying Coating of Tannins and Peanut Shell layering after each sip. *SPLASH: A few drops of water makes it sweeter and less dry with Vanilla and Cinnamon Sugar becoming primary. A little more Water and Some Dry Oak shows up as well. Still get that Rough Hot Finish and a Cinnamon Coating. *VERDICT: This seems like an ideal Cigar Pairing with the Heat & Spice to stand up to whatever stick you choose to light up. This gets an extra 1/4 Star for value. 6 Year Single Barrel 120proof MGP for $35? Slap a designer label on a slightly fancier bottle and charge $100 and not a Tater eyelash would bat. The NAS version of this is damn near undrinkable, but I thought for the exact same $35, I’d give the Single Barrel a try and I’m glad I did. At that price, I may bunker a bottle or two.

Contrary to other opinions, I don't experience as much heat from this at this proof as others do. I detect some pepper, almost a hint of peanut, something that makes it sweet (likely some vanilla), and a flavor I can't quite identify. Quite intriguing, and I'm pleased I had the opportunity to try this one. Another that requires further exploration.

Collective Pour Pick Notes of baking spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, oak, and heat on the palate