Old Scout Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon

[BonVivant84]

Going to try my first review and thought this was a good bottle to start with and crack open. This was an Astor pick 118 proof 10 year uncut and paid $68 after tax. Look in the glass was amber. The nose had a strong alcohol smell that dissipated after about 30 seconds and became light oak, caramel and some green apple. The burn is right up front but it's quick, sweet, nice and made me wish it stuck around longer. spice note kinda like cinnamon. Added a few drops of water and didn't notice much of a difference. I don't know if I noticed much on the finish but it's smooth so maybe buttery. It's very easy to drink but after a few glasses in I'm not sure I could say it has a big flavor characteristic that jumps out to me and makes me need more of it for the future. That said its a very pleasant drink. So far I'm on the fence if it's worth it price wise but I want to let it open for a bit and revisit. But if it's right now I decide, I would probably reach for my FRSB instead.

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[393foureyedfox]

what would you compare it to? / Where do you think it came from?

[HighInTheMtns]

what would you compare it to? / Where do you think it came from?

I could be wrong, but I think that all Old Scout has come from MGPI.

[petrel800]

I could be wrong, but I think that all Old Scout has come from MGPI.

Pretty sure you're correct, DSP should show IN for Indiana which is the give away. All the SB Old Scouts I had were good, but certainly we're not intended to be a bourbon that stood on its own merits. Since they were all intended to be put into blends by Seagrams.

[smokinjoe]

Thanks for your review, BV. You covered all of the bases. I don't have any experience with that whiskey, but your descriptions of caramel and cinnamon combined with green apple sound like a combo that I would really like. Well done! I hope you do more.

:toast:

[Yeti]

Pretty sure you're correct, DSP should show IN for Indiana which is the give away. All the SB Old Scouts I had were good, but certainly we're not intended to be a bourbon that stood on its own merits. Since they were all intended to be put into blends by Seagrams.

This is a comment I've heard before, and I understand the motivatition, but at the end of the day the recipes are 1% different than Four Roses. When you age those spirits for 7-10+ years should they be underwhelming, or just good whiskey?

[zillah]

I have a feeling the quality starts with the distillate that goes into the barrels - among other things. I'd say Four Roses is top tier distillate.

[squire]

The old Seagrams recipes used by MGP are well proven and well made. They are at least on a par with the standard grades made by HH, Beam and the other majors. When you fill a lot of barrels, as MGP undoubtedly does, some of them will be first rate.

[BonVivant84]

what would you compare it to? / Where do you think it came from?

As for what i would compare it to...I would say its got a taste of OGD114 was one of the first things i thought of last night, but its significantly smoother by a large measure and had these slight acidic notes that gave it complexity. For its proof i just was looking for some more punch from it, but I'm positive thats because my tastes tend to lean towards spice and heat (FR or any and all big ryes.)

I should try it head to head with a few things. Any suggestions?

also forget to include these pics.

[Flyfish]

Just idle curiosity, but does Angie sign all of the Old Scouts? Or are all of the bottlers called "Angie" regardless of real name?

[Yeti]

They used to have volunteer bottling events with lots of different people bottling. With the new bottling line I think they've gone to fewer people inspecting bottles and hand printing information for pay.

[kjbeggs]

Thanks for the review.

I saw this was available at DrinkupNY and I've been wanting to try it.

Just not sure if it's worth the $16.00 in shipping (not to mention I'll have to have it delivered to my Brother-in-law, and wait for his visit in a couple weeks).

[P&MLiquorsEric]

We have some in stock. It is good stuff for the price. Great nose, mouthfeel but a short finish.

[BonVivant84]

Thanks for the review.

I saw this was available at DrinkupNY and I've been wanting to try it.

Just not sure if it's worth the $16.00 in shipping (not to mention I'll have to have it delivered to my Brother-in-law, and wait for his visit in a couple weeks).

ya i got the email from Drinkup today too, theirs actually looks like an 8 year and slightly higher proof.....love to taste side by side and see what 2 years can really do.

[flahute]

I have two bottles that were signed by Samantha, also from Astor.

[Phil T]

I have tried the 7yr, and the 10yr bourbon from SA....As we know, they are LDI/MPG..to my palate, they are very similar to Beam profile and not in my wheelhouse...YMMV

[mbroo5880i]

I recently bought a 6-year 99 proof bottle to participate in the BOTM. I haven't opened it yet because I am trying to clear out a few open bottles. Now, one of my primary stores just brought in an 8-year BP at 108 proof.

[393foureyedfox]

one of my primary stores just brought in an 8-year BP at 108 proof.

that sounds like a good combo, id buy it

[Restaurant man]

This is a comment I've heard before, and I understand the motivatition, but at the end of the day the recipes are 1% different than Four Roses. When you age those spirits for 7-10+ years should they be underwhelming, or just good whiskey?

Stepping in to say good whiskey. I've tried a couple of BP's that I thought were great for the money. Good dark cherry and chocolate coffee notes

[benpearson]

Angie has been replaced by the world's smallest connect 4 board game. She must have been receiving too many proposals from SB members.

I have to admit, being involved in picking this barrel, all of the samples of the 8 year that we tried were very good. Usually when picking barrels there is at least one that is easy to rule out, not the case from what I've seen from Smooth Amber so far.

mbrooks, let me know what you think if you buy one.

Also, it seems some we have both nikki and nik bottles (same handwritting) in stock (not barrel proof), it could be nikki was tired of signing every bottle.

Edited February 22, 2014 by benpearson

[mbroo5880i]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]17855[/ATTACH]

Angie has been replaced by the world's smallest connect 4 board game. She must have been receiving too many proposals from SB members.

I have to admit, being involved in picking this barrel, all of the samples of the 8 year that we tried were very good. Usually when picking barrels there is at least one that is easy to rule out, not the case from what I've seen from Smooth Amber so far.

mbrooks, let me know what you think if you buy one.

Also, it seems some we have both nikki and nik bottles (same handwritting) in stock (not barrel proof), it could be nikki was tired of signing every bottle.

Yep, I am hoping to drop in next week and pick one up. I am pretty excited about this one.