Bourbon Club of Arkansas Reveals Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon Barrel Details

Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by 5e2793

PUBLISH DATE: May 30, 2023

The Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA) has officially shared the technical details behind its latest barrel selection, offering members a rare inside look at how a single barrel of Old Scout Bourbon is tracked, aged, and documented from distillation to bottling.

In a detailed informational post, Gary Penna broke down the “decoder ring” for this pick, outlining everything from distillery ownership to barrel entry proof—giving members transparency that is rarely seen outside of industry circles.

Official Barrel Information (As Shared by Gary Penna)

Source: Facebook
Date: May 30, 2023
Author: Gary Penna

Here is your decoder ring:

Current Distillery: Smooth Ambler Spirits Co (the owner of barrel)
Current DSP#: DSP-WV-15002
Spirit Name: 40% Bourbon (technical recipe name for Old Scout Bourbon)
Last Fill Date: 12/26/17
Lot Identification Number: 17L26-L04
Entry Proof: 120.0

The recipe designation “40% Bourbon” reflects Smooth Ambler’s internal classification system. Since the mash bill is 60% corn and 40% other grains, this naming convention helps distinguish it from other bourbon and rye recipes within their portfolio.

At the time of this announcement, the barrel was 5 years and 34 days old, entering the barrel at 120 proof, a strong indicator that the final bottled proof would land solidly in cask-strength territory, typically between 115–118 proof.

About Smooth Ambler Spirits Co

Founded in 2009 in Maxwelton, West Virginia, Smooth Ambler Spirits Co has earned a national reputation for its meticulous approach to sourcing, blending, and eventually distilling its own whiskey. While the distillery began by sourcing mature barrels from respected Midwest producers, it quickly built a loyal following through its Old Scout line—bottlings known for transparency, age statements, and bold, unfiltered character.

Smooth Ambler operates under DSP-WV-15002 and has long emphasized education and openness, often sharing mash bills, barrel entry proofs, and aging details with consumers—an ethos clearly reflected in this BCA release.

The Old Scout Bourbon brand, in particular, has become synonymous with high-quality single barrels and small batches that appeal to enthusiasts who value both flavor and provenance.

Why This Pick Matters

This selection highlights what many Arkansas bourbon fans value most:

• Clear barrel provenance
• Full transparency in aging and proof
• Cask-strength integrity
• Direct collaboration between clubs and respected distilleries

For BCA members, this wasn’t just another bottle—it was a chance to own a clearly documented snapshot of a single barrel’s life, from December 26, 2017, onward.