{"id":1745,"date":"2021-03-30T12:34:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T17:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkansasliquor.com\/?p=1745"},"modified":"2021-03-30T12:48:00","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T17:48:00","slug":"bourbon-club-of-arkansas-releases-smooth-ambler-old-scout-high-rye-single-barrel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkansasliquor.com\/index.php\/2021\/03\/30\/bourbon-club-of-arkansas-releases-smooth-ambler-old-scout-high-rye-single-barrel\/","title":{"rendered":"Bourbon Club of Arkansas Releases Smooth Ambler Old Scout High-Rye Single Barrel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PUBLISH DATE: April 2, 2021 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA)<\/strong> marked an early milestone in its barrel selection history with the release of a Smooth Ambler Old Scout (SAOS) Single Barrel<\/strong>, a high-rye straight bourbon bottled in spring 2021. Though released after a Woodford Reserve pick, this barrel was selected earlier\u2014earning its place as part of what BCA affectionately referred to as the Trifecta<\/em> of early club selections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Smooth
Source: Gary Penna – May 29 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Barrel & Release Details<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Distillery \/ Brand:<\/strong> Smooth Ambler \u2013 Old Scout<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Source:<\/strong> MGP (Indiana)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Age:<\/strong> 5 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Proof:<\/strong> 111.8 proof (55.9% ABV)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mash Bill:<\/strong> 36% High Rye<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Barrel Number:<\/strong> #28903<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Yield:<\/strong> 22 cases<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Filtration:<\/strong> Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The barrel was officially bottled in late May 2021, delivering a bold, spice-forward bourbon that quickly stood out among early Arkansas club picks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Tasting Notes (As Shared by BCA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This high-rye bourbon showcased a classic Old Scout profile with added depth from its non-chill-filtered presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Color:<\/strong> Medium amber<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Nose:<\/strong> Baking spices, burnt caramel, baking chocolate, light charred oak, and tobacco<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Palate:<\/strong> Spicy entry with vanilla, leather, and nutty notes on the chew; moderate heat on the tip of the tongue followed by sugared cinnamon graham cracker sweetness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Finish:<\/strong> Lingering vanilla and burnt caramel with a subtle, savory \u201cfunk\u201d\u2014described as reminiscent of dry-aged meat\u2014that added character and kept tasters coming back<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Despite its relatively young age, this 5-year bourbon delivered intensity and structure often found in older expressions, earning a place among the club\u2019s top early selections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Pro Tip: Let It Breathe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Because this release was non-chill-filtered<\/strong>, BCA recommended allowing the bourbon to breathe before diving in. A brief rest in the glass (15\u201320 minutes) or gently mixing the bottle prior to pouring helped integrate sediment and soften ethanol on the nose\u2014especially important for high-rye, higher-proof whiskies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"Bourbon
      Artwork by Chris Hankins
      Source: Gary Penna – March 30 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      Background: Smooth Ambler Spirits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Founded in 2009<\/strong> in Maxwelton, West Virginia<\/strong>, Smooth Ambler Spirits<\/strong> was created by John Little<\/strong> and Norman Baker<\/strong> with a focus on transparency, traditional methods, and Appalachian identity. Like many young craft distilleries of the era, Smooth Ambler initially sourced mature bourbon and rye\u2014most notably from MGP in Indiana<\/strong>\u2014while their own distillate aged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Rather than obscure the sourcing, Smooth Ambler leaned into it. Detailed labeling, barrel numbers, age statements, and proof disclosures helped build trust at a time when transparency in sourced whiskey was far from common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The Rise of Old Scout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      The Old Scout<\/strong> label quickly became one of the most respected sourced-whiskey brands of the early 2010s. Known for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • High-rye mash bills<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Barrel-proof or near-barrel-proof bottlings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Minimal processing and frequent non-chill filtration<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Old Scout single barrels developed a cult following among bourbon clubs and enthusiasts, making them prime candidates for private selections like this Bourbon Club of Arkansas release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        From Sourced to Self-Distilled<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Smooth Ambler began distilling its own whiskey in 2011<\/strong>, gradually transitioning toward estate-produced bourbon and rye while continuing to release Old Scout bottlings. Over time, the portfolio expanded to include products such as Contradiction Bourbon<\/strong> (a blend of sourced and in-house whiskey) and Big Level Wheat Whiskey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In 2016<\/strong>, Smooth Ambler was acquired by Pernod Ricard<\/strong>, providing expanded distribution and long-term stability while maintaining production in West Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n\n\n\n

        Why This Barrel Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        This Smooth Ambler Old Scout pick helped establish the Bourbon Club of Arkansas\u2019 reputation for selecting assertive, character-driven barrels early in the club\u2019s history. For many members, it set the tone for what Arkansas whiskey enthusiasts could expect from future BCA releases: bold proof, honest flavor, and thoughtfully chosen barrels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n

        Source: Gary Penna<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        April 2, 2021<\/strong>
        Facebook<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n

        \u201cGreat news Barrel #28093 SAOS
        55.9% abv. 5 years old. 22 cases.
        It was bottled this am!!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

        \n\n\n\n

        Source: Gary Penna<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        May 29, 2021<\/strong>
        Facebook<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n

        \u201cSAOS Smooth Ambler Old Scout
        111.8 proof\/55.9% abv
        MGP 5 yr Straight Bourbon Whiskey
        Barrel # 28903
        36% High Rye<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This is technically our 3rd club pick, even though the Woodford came in before it. This barrel was chosen prior to that one. Hence the \u2018Trifecta\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        As with most high ryes these can be spicy on the initial nose and palate. A lot of times it can come across as ethanol forward. As you let it sit in the glass that begins to fade away. A neck pour can lead to this as well because this is an NCF (Non-Chill-Filtered) product. A good technique is to flip the bottle upside down a few times to mix the bourbon then opening it and pouring it and then letting it sit for 15\u201320 minutes before you nose or taste it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The reason for this is because the non-chill filtered bourbon and all its sediment fall to the bottom of the bottle since it is heavier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        However I always try it both ways when I drink it for the first time. I pour out of the neck, smell, taste it and then flip the bottle upside down a few times and then re-taste it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Color:<\/strong> Medium Amber
        Nose:<\/strong> Baking spices burnt caramel, baking chocolate, light charred oak, tobacco
        Palate:<\/strong> Spicy, Vanilla, Leather, Nutty flavor on the chew. Moderate burn on the tip of the tongue. Sugared\/cinnamon graham cracker on the backside that is still pleasant and there. Nice solid throat and chest burn, but it dissipated quickly. I love strong whiskies.
        Finish:<\/strong> Same Vanilla and some burnt caramel. I also detected a little bit of a funk, almost like a dry aged cut of meat, but it was rather welcoming. It gave it a bite that had me coming back for more. Lasted a long time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Overall:<\/strong> This is in my top two of our picks. I love the youthful exuberance of a fairly young whiskey (5 yrs), but it packs the punch of some much older favorites from this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Recommendations:<\/strong> Let it breathe, breathe, breathe\u2026 beforehand. Mix up the bottle, open it, and let it sit in your glass for 15\u201320 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        PUBLISH DATE: April 2, 2021 The Bourbon Club of Arkansas (BCA) marked an early milestone in its barrel selection history with the release of a Smooth Ambler Old Scout (SAOS) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1746,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_gspb_post_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[13],"class_list":["post-1745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-107-liquor","tag-bca"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBourbon Club of Arkansas Releases Smooth Ambler Old Scout High-Rye Single Barrel - Arkansas Liquor<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Bourbon Club of Arkansas released a Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5-year high-rye single barrel at 111.8 proof. 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