Smooth Ambler Old Scout American Whiskey

[Jav]

As far as I can tell this whiskey hit the shelves some time in 2016, yet the Smooth Ambler website only has the 99 proof version listed, and even that has no information listed.  Based on the label I know it's a joining of a bourbon and a near bourbon using rejuvenated and re-charred barrels.  Internet information seems pretty inconsistent.

 

Is any of the whiskey in this marriage actually distilled by Smooth Ambler, or is it 100% sourced?

 

I think the 99 proof stuff tastes great, but this store pick is even better!  It's quickly becoming a favorite pour of mine.  I wish I had a chance to try some of the SAOS previous products if these two are any indication of taste.

[Mako254]

A barrel is coming to a store near me and I’m curious about it. 

[CUfan99]

53 minutes ago, Jav said:

As far as I can tell this whiskey hit the shelves some time in 2016, yet the Smooth Ambler website only has the 99 proof version listed, and even that has no information listed.  Based on the label I know it's a joining of a bourbon and a near bourbon using rejuvenated and re-charred barrels.  Internet information seems pretty inconsistent.

 

Is any of the whiskey in this marriage actually distilled by Smooth Ambler, or is it 100% sourced?

 

I think the 99 proof stuff tastes great, but this store pick is even better!  It's quickly becoming a favorite pour of mine.  I wish I had a chance to try some of the SAOS previous products if these two are any indication of taste.

What would the "near bourbon" consist of? A rye whiskey? Also, what is a rejuvenated barrel? Do they scrape the char out and re-char?

[Jav]

Yeah, one of the wiskeys they mix in are not aged in new oak barrels, but rejuvenated ones.  I don't know the details, but I do know they rechar them...  It's clear that the 99 proof version is a blend of an Indiana-distilled high-rye Old Scout bourbon and Tennessee-distilled whiskey aged in “rejuvenated” barrels.   I assume the 107 is the same but just higher strength, but I don't know that for a fact.

[Jav]

The Total Wine & More website has this to say:

 

West Virginia- This custom Smooth Ambler expression is a union of 12 year old bourbon and 6 year old American Whiskey bottled at 107 proof. In almost every way a bourbon, this Old Scout drinks just like one: Sweet, smooth, bold, and delicious. Finishes smooth with lingering notes.

 

So if it's a 12 year old bourbon, I guess that means both are sourced?

[JCwhammie]

Your post made me decide to open my bottle that I’ve had for a couple months. I feel like this is a good whiskey, but to me it lacks complexity, and the finish is shorter than I prefer. If this were around $30 I’d happily buy another. I think I paid around $45, though. There is a long list of bourbons I’d buy before this at that price point. 

 

[Jav]

I was a bit disappointed after my first pour of the 99 proof version.  A few days of air and by the time the bottle was half way gone my opinion had changed quite a bit.  We'll see if the 107 trends similar or not, but almost all bourbons taste different after the first pour of the bottle for me.

[FasterHorses]

Read some of the replies towards the end of this thread if you want.. it starts out about cask strength but i brought up the Am Whiskey.

Edited April 24, 2018 by FasterHorses

[BDanner]

My local ABC just got in a barrel selection of this. To me, the rye dominates the nose and palate. It leans more toward buttery, salty and savory than sweet. It packs a lot of tingly numbing heat as well. The only sweetness shows up in the finish. It's almost what I would imagine Ardbeg 10 tasting like if you removed the peat.

[Clueby]

Havent tried the 107 yet but I wasn't crazy about the 99 proof version. A local store has it (the 99) on sale for $26.