Smooth Ambler Old Scout Straight Rye

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Straight Rye 7 year old is bottled by Smooth Ambler out of Maxwelton West Virginia and is distilled by MGP in Indiana. Smooth Ambler is honest and up front about what they are doing and put it on every bottle. Old Scout is a collection of “Scouted” whiskeys Smooth Ambler finds to be exceptional.

There is a class action law suit out of Chicago naming several of the Rye Bottlers for misleading people into thinking they are buying “Craft Small Batch” whiskey when in fact they are only bottling Rye whiskey made by MGP, one of the largest distillers in the US. Templeton Rye Whiskey has an elaborate “BS” story, with claims that the whiskey is distilled using a "prohibition-era recipe." The company's marketing materials highlight the whiskey's ties during prohibition to Chicago bootlegger Al Capone. They currently have 3 law suits against them, they deceived customers, including not disclosing on bottles that the spirit is made using a stock whiskey bought from an Indiana distillery.

Back to the Review.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Straight Rye mash bill is 95% Rye, 5% Barley Malt similar to the 4 year Willett Rye Whiskey and the Bulleit Rye and they use the same distiller MGP. The age and proof are different.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Straight Rye is 7 years old and it shows in the deep color and I always like that. Its bottled at 49.5%ABV or 99 Proof, I like my whiskey at a minimum of 95 proof, so I like that too.

Smell:

Citrus, apple , peach, sweet spices. I enjoy the nose immensely. It’s a little odd that the residue of an empty class has a better nose. Has anyone experience that before in a whiskey.

Palette:

Sweet, spicy, citrus, pears, peaches, burnt caramel, pepper. Palette is a little odd as well, the first taste is a little flat but by the time you I get to the bottom of the first dram it really open up. I have tried this on 4 occasions and half the bottle is gone but I have this reaction each time. Each dram brings a smile to my face.

Finish:

Medium in length and not very dry for a 99 proof whiskey. The lingering flavors are rye, burnt caramel and peaches.

Conclusion: Smooth Ambler Old Scout Straight Rye 7 is VERY drinkable. I enjoy this rye whiskey a lot, 7 years old, 99 proof, for $33. I don’t care that it’s made by MGP. In my opinion MGP is doing a fantastic job with the whiskey they are creating and selling to bottlers.

I do have a problem with Templeton passing off a mass produced rye whiskey as a “Craft Small Batch” and over charging me. I do like Templeton Rye , High West Rye, other Whiskey made by MGP.

I don’t do too many reviews, you don’t need to hear how great Ardbeg Corry, Lagavulin 16, A’bunadh CS is from me. I do like to review whiskey I think is affordable and pretty dam good. This Rye isn’t going to change your world but it will bring a smile to your face and is highly enjoyable, much like Old Grand Dad 114. Smooth Ambler Old Scout Straight Rye makes a great Manhattan too.