Smooth Ambler generated a lot of hype with their MGP sourced single barrel line, disappointed with their own distillate and recently released a new Old Scout Single Barrel Select, this time sourced from Dickel. I tend to like well aged Dickel well enough and loved the MGP Old Scout so I was cautiously optimistic for dram. Let’s see if it lives up to the name!
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Select
Age: 13 years
Abv: 99 proof
Color: A medium amber
Price: $64.99
Batch: 13601
Neat
Nose: Very sweet with chocolate milk powder, toasted marshmallow and vanilla notes.
Taste: More chocolate and marshmallow but with a little bit warm spice and oak.
Finish: Medium to long finish where chocolate fades to warm spice and oak.
On a rock
Nose: The chocolate and marshmallow motes are still there but subdued and I finally get some of that famous Dickel vitamin note
Taste: The ice really brings out the vitamin note though the mouthfeel was quite nice
Finish: Short and sweet with a bit of chocolate.
Conclusion
Taking this by itself it was quite good neat, especially the nose. It reminded me a lot of the Dickel sourced Barrell single barrels but a bit better though not as good as the Barrell Craft Spirits 15 year. I don’t usually get vitamin from most good Dickel but the ice brought that way out here which was disappointing.
On the other hand when I compared it too the MGP Old Scout Single Barrel the Select was left wanting. The mouthfeel and the finish were significantly better with the MGP juice.
Overall I enjoyed the bottle even if it didn’t live up to its namesake though I won’t be tracking down another bottle right now though I’d be interested in trying the next batch or a store pick.
1 Star - Good whiskey: I would choose to drink this over readily available whiskies
Scale
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