Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel #3

We bought our first barrel of Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel early in 2022. We weren’t really sure about it when we requested the sample kit, but now going on our 3rd barrel in 18 months, we are certain that first barrel wasn’t much of a gamble.

It always manages to work our perfectly with transitioning our 3.Old Fashioned in JJ’s Bar to the latest and greatest Old Scout Single Barrel. Not really sure what it is, but this bourbon matches very well with our reknowned recipe.

A little bit about single barrels. This year’s calendar, as in years past, has all of our current single barrel offerings at some point. We do this for a variety of reasons, but the primary reason is because everytime a new barrel comes in, we are excited about it! Thus, making all of them some of our most exciting spirits of the year.

Single barrel sales have been a little sluggish this year. We haven’t really been able to pinpoint an exact reason, but the prevailing reason is a glut of single barrel offerings in the market right now. Everybody, in the last five or so years, has decided that they need to be in the business of selling these unique whiskies.

That being said, the great thing about single barrel whiskies is that they are all truly unique. Truly unique. We are constantly correcting people to the fact that even though you may have had a whiskey similar to one of our single barrels, or a single barrel of the same brand from another retailer, they are different products.

So what’s the point of this? One, our single barrels are selected by our team very carefully to ensure that you are getting a solid product. We also don’t just buy any barrel that comes to our attention just to have the most barrels. We pick every barrel with a high degree of scrutiny and set set of parameters based on the intended style of the Master Distiller. Same goes for some of our blends we have crafted over the years. More on those later…

Enjoy the Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel 3rd Edition

• Name: Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel 3rd Edition
• Age: 5.5 Years
• Country of Origin/Locale: West Virignia by way of Lawrenceburg, IN
• Proof: 114.4
• Glass: Glencairn or Double Old-Fashioned Glass
• Temperature: Room, or with ice. Try it at room first
• Cocktail Options: Makes a great Old Fashioned, Manhatten or Boulevardier (Recipe Below)
• Available: Yes!
• Price: List Price – $69.99 JJ’s VIP Price – $55.99

Tom’s Tasting Notes: As with most MGP barrels, this shows a ton of spice and well balanced, mouthfilling caramel and vanilla notes. Super smooth at 114.4 proof with a long, luscious finish.

The Boulevardier

1.25oz Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel #3
1.0oz Campari
1.0oz Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
Orange Twist

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir about 35 times. Strain into a coupe glass, martini glass or Nick & Nora glass. Or, if you like it cold throughout, pour in a Double Old Fashioned glass with a large cube. Garnish with orange twist.