SAOS question

[393foureyedfox]

We all know Smooth Ambler is making their own stuff as Smooth Ambler and beginning to age it, and sourcing from IN to make their Old Scout line. I was wondering if SA plans to continue the OS lineup indefinitely, or will stop/slow down once their own distillate is aged sufficiently and release only their own SA line. I havent tried any of their own distillate yet (or even seen it), but think pretty highly of the barrel proof sourced bourbon, and was wondering if anyone knew the answer.

Also, was curious if their own distillate was the same or similar in mashbill to what theyve been sourcing.

[greatgoo]

Great question. I'm looking forward to see if anyone around here knows. I have wondered if the private barrel selections will end too.

[flahute]

I've heard them say they plan to continue sourcing barrels for the Old Scout line. It's profitable so there is no reason to stop.

[393foureyedfox]

I've heard them say they plan to continue sourcing barrels for the Old Scout line. It's profitable so there is no reason to stop.

hope so....

as long as the BPs are under $50, ill continue to buy them

[mbroo5880i]

I've heard them say they plan to continue sourcing barrels for the Old Scout line. It's profitable so there is no reason to stop.

I recall reading the same thing. Their "own" distillate (e.g., Yearling) is wheated bourbon. I believe that Contradiction includes their distillate (wheated bourbon), which is younger, blended with a more mature sourced rye bourbon. For some reason, I am thinking that they are scheduled to release their "aged" bourbon within the next year or two.

[PaulO]

I've heard them say they plan to continue sourcing barrels for the Old Scout line. It's profitable so there is no reason to stop.

It may have been "Bourbon Of The Month", but somewhere on this site, the boss of Smooth Ambler said this. They plan to continue the Old Scout brand with barrels sourced from IN, and start releasing what they make themselves as it's own brand.

[Richnimrod]

I for one certainly hope they don't quit selling the Old Scout line. I've found most of the barrel proof offerings to be excellent, and the lower proof ones almost always very good.

They are, of course, somewhat variable; but that's part of the fun. My biggest concern is that they may be running out of the nicer barrels to source before very many more months/years and the quality may begin to ebb.

They can only sell what can be found, right?

I guess we shall see.....

[bllygthrd]

The Smooth Ambler juice is indeed a wheated sweet mash and up until recently was distilled in a Vendrome pot still. SA has since replaced the pot still with a Vendrome column still and the old pot still has been sold to 8 Feathers Distillery in Idaho.

I know the new still will increase their distillation capacity ... and I'm wondering if they will now go to sour mash and also tweak their mash bill?

The oldest WV produced juice Smooth Ambler has in storage must be or approaching an age of 5 years. But, I'm sure their quantity is limited. They started releasing their Yearling expression and the Batch 1 I had was ~ 1 year 2 months in the barrel. The last bottle I purchased had a 2 year 2 month age declaration.

Smooth Ambler has stated numerous times it plans to continue to source juice from MGP ...

My opinion is that John and John have a well developed business model with sustainability of producing/sourcing quality products paramount.

[Bostonbro5]

http://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/2uzf0b/john_foster_ama_smooth_ambler/

He pretty much answers all of your questions in there...

TLDR: They are aging stocks of MGP juice, oldest is about 10-11 years. They bought got 5 year old juice years ago and have been aging it, they did not buy very old stocks when they made that purchase. They will continue that separate line as long as they can although custom barrels are getting in tighter supply.

They are using a wheater as their bourbon, later this year it should be released with no chill filter, approx 95 proof with a 5-6 year age. Interestingly it goes into the barrels at 117 proof. They are also looking into a 51/49 rye/wheater mix release.

[Richnimrod]

Thanx for including that in your post Bostonbro5! 'Straight from the horse's mouth' is usually a whole bunch better than .... from the other end, eh? HA!

[393foureyedfox]

great link bostonbro! I especially liked this:

The plan is to continue to do both things. Bottle some spirit, and distill some spirit. And thanks for supporting us. Trust me, I'm not typing this from the deck of my yacht. We work hard, and we realize that the person shucking out $40-$50 for an affordable luxury has a LOT of options. We're trying hard to earn your trust and are mindful of how difficult those drinking dollars can be to come by.

[Bostonbro5]

Seems to be a pretty cool group of guys working at Smooth Ambler.. unfortunately I don't get much of the private bottlings here in NJ but I would love to get some cask strength bourbon and ryes from them. They're probably the best at labels for their sourced juice so I would love to buy their best stuff.

[squire]

That's a customer oriented approach I can appreciate.

[garbanzobean]

http://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/2uzf0b/john_foster_ama_smooth_ambler/

He pretty much answers all of your questions in there...

TLDR: They are aging stocks of MGP juice, oldest is about 10-11 years. They bought got 5 year old juice years ago and have been aging it, they did not buy very old stocks when they made that purchase. They will continue that separate line as long as they can although custom barrels are getting in tighter supply.

They are using a wheater as their bourbon, later this year it should be released with no chill filter, approx 95 proof with a 5-6 year age. Interestingly it goes into the barrels at 117 proof. They are also looking into a 51/49 rye/wheater mix release.

In case anyone from Smooth Ambler happens by this thread anytime soon, PLEASE KEEP OFFERING YOUR PRIVATE BARREL PROOF SELECTIONS AT 8-9 YEARS!!! It's a great age for the whiskey, and some of us don't necessarily like it too much older than that. I don't really care what you do with the older stock as long as there are great 8-9 yr barrels to pick from at a reasonable price.

[393foureyedfox]

now im kinda wondering if they only bought that one large batch of 5 year old stuff several years ago, and all their releases will get progressively older until it is gone........or, have they been continually buying bulk MGP product and will continue releasing various ages of various batches. I agree with garbanzobean, I rather like my whiskies in the 8 year range, and dont really care for the taste/added cost of say, an 11-15 year bottle. If the 8 year currently on shelves is the only 8 year to be released, and only restocked when the next batch of 9 year is available, my interest will wane over the next few years. I only see the 7-8 year stuff out now, where last year when I first saw SAOS, it was 6-7 year stuff, and a few 5 year/99 proofers. Hopefully, theyve continued to purchase bulk

[Bostonbro5]

Their big initial purchase was that 5 year old juice but I believe they are buying young MGP juice and looking to age it in similar age as the 7-8 year stuff. They made it seem they were not looking to made the very old scout/really old stuff. I don't think it's realistic for them to sit on juice for 10+ years to get it to 12 years.

[smokinjoe]

"Whiskey", or "Bourbon", or "Distillate"...aren't bad words...Really!!!

[tanstaafl2]

"Whiskey", or "Bourbon", or "Distillate"...aren't bad words...Really!!!

[393foureyedfox]

i second Joe's hatred of the term "juice".....just sayin'

[callmeox]

i second Joe's hatred of the term "juice".....just sayin'

I know in my heart of hearts that Joe appreciates your backing in the Juice Wars.

[Richnimrod]

i second Joe's hatred of the term "juice".....just sayin'

Ahhh, jeeeez, ...juice? ...liquid? ...distillate? ...liquor? ...fluid? ...bottled-escape-from-your-troubles-for-awhile? ...whisky? ...whiskEy? What the heck does it matter after all????

[DBM]

Ahhh, jeeeez, ...juice? ...liquid? ...distillate? ...liquor? ...fluid? ...bottled-escape-from-your-troubles-for-awhile? ...whisky? ...whiskEy? What the heck does it matter after all????

Maybe to avoid the confusion when I comment on how great cherry juice is and you think I'm crazy for liking Red Stag but I don't reply in time to say that I literally meant cherry juice and you cyber-bully me and I call Maury Povich and chairs are thrown and you end up living in a van down by the river.

[smokinjoe]

i second Joe's hatred of the term "juice".....just sayin'

Don't bring me into your hate, D.

[PaulO]

I'm ok with the term juice. For example: we have a lot of different brands that all start out as the same juice. Yes it's slang, but it works. :cool:

[Richnimrod]

Maybe to avoid the confusion when I comment on how great cherry juice is and you think I'm crazy for liking Red Stag but I don't reply in time to say that I literally meant cherry juice and you cyber-bully me and I call Maury Povich and chairs are thrown and you end up living in a van down by the river.

WOW! You are taking this waaaaaaaaay too seriously. This forum is for FUN!!!!

Please don't take this the wrong way, as I see you are quite sensitive, and I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings.