Smooth Ambler
Smooth Ambler is a craft distillery based in Maxwelton, West Virginia, known for its portfolio of American whiskeys that includes both distilled-in-house spirits and thoughtfully selected sourced whiskeys. The brand built much of its early reputation on transparency, clearly distinguishing between what it made and what it aged and bottled from other producers.
The distillery's lineup spans bourbon, rye, and its flagship Old Scout series. Whether you're drawn to its Appalachian-made spirits or its curated barrel selections, Smooth Ambler offers a range of styles suited to sipping neat, over ice, or in classic cocktails.
Smooth Ambler is a craft distillery based in Maxwelton, West Virginia, known for its portfolio of American whiskeys that includes both distilled-in-house spirits and thoughtfully selected sourced whiskeys.
Read more about Smooth Ambler
Smooth Ambler is a craft distillery based in Maxwelton, West Virginia, known for its portfolio of American whiskeys that includes both distilled-in-house spirits and thoughtfully selected sourced whiskeys. The brand built much of its early reputation on transparency, clearly distinguishing between what it made and what it aged and bottled from other producers.
The distillery's lineup spans bourbon, rye, and its flagship Old Scout series. Whether you're drawn to its Appalachian-made spirits or its curated barrel selections, Smooth Ambler offers a range of styles suited to sipping neat, over ice, or in classic cocktails.
History and Background
Smooth Ambler Spirits was founded in 2009 by John Little and Tag Galyean in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. The distillery set out to produce craft spirits using traditional methods while its own whiskey stocks matured, a common challenge for new distilleries that need aged inventory to sell.
To bridge the gap, Smooth Ambler introduced its Old Scout line, which featured sourced whiskey that the company aged and bottled. The brand earned respect among enthusiasts for being upfront about which products were distilled on-site versus sourced from other distilleries, a level of transparency that was relatively uncommon at the time.
In 2016, Pernod Ricard acquired a majority stake in Smooth Ambler, providing resources to expand production and distribution while the distillery continued developing its own aging whiskey stocks.
Production and House Style
Smooth Ambler operates from its West Virginia facility, where it produces a range of spirits including bourbon, rye, gin, and vodka. Its house-distilled whiskeys are made with attention to grain selection and traditional distillation, then aged in the Appalachian climate.
The Old Scout range historically showcased sourced whiskey — often bourbon and rye — that Smooth Ambler selected and matured. Over time, the brand has increasingly incorporated its own distillate as those barrels reach maturity, reflecting the natural evolution of a craft distillery that started with sourced stock.
Across its portfolio, the emphasis tends to be on approachable, well-balanced whiskeys that work equally well for newcomers and experienced drinkers looking for character and value.
Range and What to Expect
Smooth Ambler's core offerings include the Old Scout Bourbon and Old Scout Rye, along with its Contradiction Bourbon, which blends sourced and house-made whiskey. The brand also produces Big Level, a wheated bourbon distilled at its own facility.
Beyond whiskey, Smooth Ambler has released gin and vodka, rounding out a portfolio that appeals to a variety of tastes. Single-barrel and cask-strength selections appear periodically and are prized for their intensity and uniqueness.
Availability can vary by expression and release, so selection may change over time. Shop the collection to see current Smooth Ambler bottles available for nationwide shipping.