This month we relocated to Jesse’s shed, for a poker* and whiskey night.
Smooth ambler are are very transparent on their process of sourcing whisky. It is distilled by MGP in Indiana (the same distillery that produces Bulleit Rye, George Dickel Rye, Tin Cup whiskey, Whistlepig Old World Rye and many, many others). It is aged for 7 years and bottled at the Smooth Ambler distillery in West Virginia and has a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley (with no corn whatsoever).

http://smoothambler.com/spirits/old-scout-rye/

Cost: £45
750ml / 49.5% abv

Tasting Notes*

Nose: Caster sugar leads into delicious rye and a dusting of cocoa. Not a lot of barrel wood, but maybe some fresh woodsy/forest stuff going on like pine or birch leaves.  Also something like cherries and Silly Putty.  Pleasant and very manageable. Carrot cake, citrus notes and canned peaches.

Palate: More brown sugar notes now. Hot, sticky and melting in a pan. Black tea, honey, baking spices. Pepper flakes, some mint and a hint of licorice or fennel seed.  Candied pears, peaches, and lemon zest.

Finish: Smooth, warming and spicy. Well balanced, no alcohol burn.  Extremely drinkable.

*Tasting notes from Master of Malt, Smoky Beast, Modern Thirst.

Packaging

Standard tall, long-necked whiskey bottle. The bottle had more heft and quality than might come across in the photos you see.

Verdict

Very nice. We’d love to taste more MGP ryes back-to-back to see how different they are. This one is a higher proof than many and as an introduction to rye whiskies this was fantastic.
Notably more savoury than bourbons (which must be made with at least 52% corn, and often a lot more). A thick, rich, mouth-feel with hot wood and brown sugar.

*Beginner’s luck: