smooth ambler old scout-where to start?

[b1gcountry]

I keep seeing recommendations for saos. IT sounds like the 7 year is high rye. Where would you start, and what sort of prices are decent? I'm seeing saos7 for about 33, saos10 for about 47, and saos rye for 40. Buy? Whi

 

ch one first or all 3?

Tom

 

 

 

[Niner Outlaw]

For My money, the 7yr, is the best and then the rye. The 10os good, but for the price, the 7 is better.

[Harry in WashDC]

Those are reasonable prices for all three.  I started with the 7, bought some more for the bunker, stumbled on a 10 so drank it then bought one more (but haven't opened it or picked up more), and picked up one rye (although I do like MGP rye so that's not a surprise).  I'm waiting for the 2016 release of "their own"; likely I'll buy one and taste immediately.  If it impresses as much as the 7 did, I will go back for more immediately.  Oh, yeah, I also bought a 375 of their Yearling.  Go visit their website for more info on their blending and sourcing - they are forthcoming.  Also, I think the 7 was a BOTM in mid-2014.

[Vosgar]

I don't think you'd go wrong with any of those and the prices seem good, so buy 'em all Tom. I've had SAOS's anywhere from 6-11yrs and have enjoyed every one of them. Also, keep an eye out for private selections, especially those done at barrel strength

[ccleve23]

I have enjoyed every product I have purchased from Smooth Amber (I think I have gotten all of them except for the very old scout.)  I even enjoy their yearling. 

[flahute]

Those are good prices. Get the 7year and the rye.

[Numismaniac]

Agreed with all above, good prices, can't go wrong

[Spade]

Those are good prices. I'd definitely recommend the rye because there just aren't that many ryes (MGP or otherwise) out their with age statements at that price.

[mbroo5880i]

21 hours ago, flahute said:

Those are good prices. Get the 7year and the rye.

I think this is the best place to start.  I like the 7 year and the rye.  While good, the 10 year is my least favorite.  Not sure why.  Every other offering has been great!  I have had two different bottles of 10 year and it just didn't do it for me.  Of course, the 7 year and rye are less expensive so they are an easier choice as well.

[jersey12]

I am definitely a fan of the SAOS offerings I've had.  If tasted blind, I would've sworn I hat the 7yr 99 proof version was a straight rye.  As I generally enjoy high rye bourbons, this isn't a bad thing, but just something to take into account.

[fishnbowljoe]

I fully agree with the SAOS 7yr. I bought a bottle today to replace the one I finished a couple of weeks ago. At 7 years old and 99 proof, it just really sets well with me.

Cheers! Joe

[LCWoody]

The 7y 99p that is out now (batch 100 and up) is actually 8, 9, and 10 year old bourbon.  What I understand it cost too much and it was too much trouble to change the label  as the bourbon got older.  I agree with everyone else the seven year and any of the single barrel or very good . 

[b1gcountry]

I will be ordering at least one bottle of 7yo and 1 bottle of rye sometime soon.

 

 

 

[jeffrey r]

12 hours ago, LCWoody said:

The 7y 99p that is out now (batch 100 and up) is actually 8, 9, and 10 year old bourbon.  What I understand it cost too much and it was too much trouble to change the label  as the bourbon got older.  I agree with everyone else the seven year and any of the single barrel or very good . 

That's interesting.  Just checked, the batch I have open is Batch 47 from 2013.  I have a couple more bottles around, but I suspect they are 2013 or 2014 bottlings.  Anyway, good to know about the recent batches.  And another vote for the 7 year over the 10 year.  Much cheaper, and better IMO.

[starhopper]

Yesterday,  I bought a bottle of the 10 year (batch 4, bottled 6/10/13) and I think it is one of the smoothest bourbons I have ever tasted (I haven't tried the 7 yet).  I'll be going back to get another 10 today!

Edited December 6, 2015 by starhopper

[Crowes]

I've liked everything I've had from them. If buying the off the shelf offerings I agree that the 7 year is the better buy. But, the store select single barrels of the 10 year have always been outstanding. Right now I have a bottle open of a 10 year 108 proof from Binny's that's one of the better bottles of any brand that I've had in quite a while. 

[GTD]

I actually just opened a 10 and I thought it was better than the 7

[b1gcountry]

I just picked up a bottle of the 7year.I'm really excited to open it, but alas, I'm cut off (in a couple ways) for the next week. I did have a couple farewell pores last night from some of my favorite bottles. Celebrating the end of an Era! I tell you what, I don't care for this pain medication. Makes you feel tipsy without the fun part. I did get to stop at the nice wine ship on the way home and the wife Gave me carte Blanche, and I got to pick out a oesk 4rsb and the saos7.

[OldDrinker1978]

I only tried the 10 Year so far but really like that one. Someone described it as a kind of a mix of  FRSB and WT101 + of course its own thing going on, which hits the nail on the head methinks.

[kjbeggs]

I'll echo what others have said, in that the 7-year standard stuff is better than the 10, but as others have stated, the Store select barrels are where it's at. I've got bottles of  recent 9 and 10 YO picks from a local store, and both are excellent. (The 9 is a bit sweeter, so it's my favorite of the two). The 8-year Rye (if you can find it) is excellent as well.

 

[b1gcountry]

Does anyone know if there are any store selects in the st Louis area?

[fishnbowljoe]

15 minutes ago, b1gcountry said:

Does anyone know if there are any store selects in the st Louis area?

IIRC, a while back, Smooth Ambler temporarily suspended their private selection program. That's not to say that there might possibly be some stores that still have a  private selection bottling on their shelves.

[alink50]

I have only tasted the Rye, which I picked up a few weeks back, and it is already one of the best Rye's that I have had. It is not the cheapest but still a good value at $40 (in Chicago). It's more interesting than Templeton's or Michter's and smoother than the Willett Family Reserve 4yo Rye.

[b1gcountry]

I just opened this up. It reminds me a lot of 4RSmB. It had a lot of spice and herb taste with some pepper. I get absolutely no sweetness from it, but I like smelling it. I had to add quite a bit more water to it than I add to most anything else. I'm finding I need that sweetness to really enjoy something though, and it just isn't there.

[Hop]

I started with the 7yr and didn't care for it, moved to the 10 and loved it. Now I've got several of store select bottles and single barrels.