Smooth Ambler Old Scout American Whiskey

Of all the whiskeys I've tried, this was the most extreme example of one needing some time to "open up". Binny's had a few bottles on clearance for $25, so I picked one up to try despite the mixed reviews. The first taste was borderline undrinkable. Almost entirely ethanol on the nose and palate, and an uncomfortable burn the whole way down. Basically something that belonged in a plastic jug for $5-10. After sitting out for a bit though, this mellowed out a lot and actually became a very tasty whiskey. Sweet on the nose, with the ethanol present but not overpowering. I got a ton of peanut and caramel on the palate, with a sweet & spicy finish. I'm not sure if I would spend MSRP on it, but if you see it for $25 by you, it's definitely worth a try.

This was on the clearance rack at Bevmo. I read the reviews and they weren't very encouraging, but I'm a sucker for a sale, so I bought it anyway. This is a bottle from batch 66. On to the tasting. I get cotton candy, candy corn, pralines, rye and a fair amount of alcohol on the nose, the palate is sweet and smooth with a hint of cola and the longer I held it the hotter it got, the finish was hot to me and seemed to last a long time with the cola and candy corn hiding in the background.

2.3/5.0. Light and sweet but a bit rougher than expected. Primarily minty notes. Light honey water coloring and very thin... like simple syrup made with raw sugar. On the nose is minty ethanol, with a hint of vanilla cookie sweetness. The palate immediately offers candied peanuts, transitioning quickly to mint julep flavors, then to some vanilla hard candies. Very very thin body with a quick and sweet but astringent finish.

Some sweetness but noses a bit young with some grain notes. Not bad but definitely some flaws. Taste is a bit harsh and really does carry over that young taste. Definitely drinks proofier than what it is. Not a ton of sweetness on the palate and finish isn’t too prominent. This one will go into the mixing pile, but glad I’ve had a few pours out of the bottle

Poured neat. Nose is dusty wood, sugar and vanilla chewing tobacco. Flavor brings forth earthy tobacco and burnt wood notes. There's a slight hint of red apple peel as well. Finish is moderately long leaving a leathery and unsweetened chocolate flavor on the tongue. This would make a great campfire whiskey.

The nose is slightly spicy with honey, barley, brine and a bit of a meatiness. The palate is somewhat dry and smokey, with a dull honey sweetness and oakiness coming forward, with cooked sugar and barley behind it. The finish is short to medium with fading honey and a cinnamon spiciness that lingers.