Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon 11 Year

Found a 2016 cask strength that won whiskey of the year. Have had the pleasure if having 2 or 3 bottles. Some of the best whiskey I have ever had

Nose sweet bubblegum, cinnamon, Werther’s originals, hing of oak. Mouthfeel not thin at all. Hint of oiliness. Very nice. Sweet viscous entry, candy apple, cinnamon, quickly transitioning to sweet clove spice, fading to a warm lingering sweet oak finish. Perfectly proofed. Slightly herbal finish is only detractor for me. Outstanding.

Neat. Binny’s pick. 11 year. Incredibly cherry forward on the nose. Surrounded by mounds of vanilla. Slight hint of mint. Some all spice the deeper I go in. Great, creamy mouth feel. Cherry and vanilla on the tongue that transitions to even more cherry and vanilla which leaves even more cherry and vanilla on the legs. Wow. The nose was subtle and almost disappointing. The rest was a delicious punch in the mouth. This cherry is the most intense and delicious cherry note I have experienced. Incredible.

This is my first Smooth Ambler, and also my first whiskey from the state of West Virginia. This Old Scout 11 year old single barrel was bottled at 56.1% ABV and is most likely non chill filtered and natural color of dark copper. The nose starts with big notes of dill and mint right away, followed by rye and toasted corn. The nose predicts a hot palate to follow. Lots of sugary sweetness in the form of bubblegum, cotton candy and candy corn. Rich tobacco, vanilla, strong oak. Brown sugar, maple, caramel, molasses, spicy chocolate. Slightly fruity with cherry hard candies and orange liqueur. Lots of peanuts and some Brazil nuts. A false prediction by the nose as the palate is not nearly as hot as I expected. Big charred oak flavor, rye, mint, peanuts, cloves. Somewhat fruity with apple skins, tart berries, more peanuts. The spice level builds but never gets too hot. Not much in the way of depth for an 11 year old bourbon. A medium to full bodied mouthfeel that is mouth coating and dry. The finish is medium long with peanuts, oak, corn and very dry. The nose showed some real promise and depth, but the palate ended up being nothing but peanuts after a few sips. When just sitting and sipping, and not trying to decipher anything, it’s really not bad and would probably do well with a big ice cube. Not a bad bourbon, but at $54 you could do a lot better for less. Thanks to @LeeEvolved for the sample. 3.75 Cheers

I just opened a 13 year and it was heavy on the peanuts. It was fine and for the 65 dollar price I’m not mad about buying it. I just don’t think I’ll be going to this one for a drink that often. I will day it was incredibly smooth for barrel strength just had a earthy funk I couldn’t get past. Hope some airtime makes this one better.