Day 20 is the Smooth Ambler Old Scout 9 Year Old Bourbon (Cask 1868) Single Barrel Release, a “Bourbon Whiskey” that’s 55.6% alcohol. 
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/smooth-ambler/smooth-ambler-old-scout-9-year-old-bourbon-cask-1868-single-barrel-release-whisky/
Thus far, Smooth Ambler has had a hit (the Old Scout 7, in 2nd place) and a miss (the Contradiction, sitting in last place). That’s quite a disparity. The first thing I noticed about this one was the name. It’s 13 words, 64 characters. If you want to reference this on Twitter, just naming it takes up 45% of your available message space.
I honestly don’t know what to expect, given the radical difference between the two previous Smooth Ambler offerings. The nose on this one is a bit dry, almost an attic quality – aged wood, perhaps books, a bit of dust but not too much. An attic that’s cooled in the evening of a long summer day, where you’re adventuring looking at a train set, perhaps. Not at all unpleasant, but not something that makes me go “yum” and want to drink it.
It’s a fireball in the mouth, and it burns all the way down. Christina’s reaction is a simple “wow” as she hands it back to me and walks away.
Not a lot of depth to the flavor of this one. Master of Malt thinks it’s awesome, but I’m not of the same opinion.
Two stars.
The updated rankings:
- Blanton’s Gold Edition
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7
- Noah’s Mill
- Bulleit
- Elijah Craig
- Evan Williams
- Four Roses Single Barrel
- FEW
- Booker’s 7 Year
- Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2004
- Jefferson’s
- Four Roses
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout 9 Year Old Bourbon (Cask 1868) Single Barrel Release
- Michter’s
- Eagle Rare
- 1792 Ridgemont Reserve
- Roughstock Montana
- Hudson Baby Bourbon
- Old Forester
- Smooth Ambler Contradiction