Smooth Ambler Spirits

I’m still somewhat new to the bourbon scene, but I’ve been developing a real taste for it and was excited to be able to visit a distillery while on vacation to West Virginia. Smooth Ambler is a small and still rather new place out in the middle of nowhere, but it’s worth the detour. Most of their bourbons are still sourced (that is, brought in from other distilleries), but they’re working on their own and making interesting blends. The Old Scout 10 year and the Old Scout Straight Bourbon (both sourced) were excellent. My husband (much more of a gin drinker than I) was equally impressed with the barrel-​aged gin. The most surprising find was their Whitewater Vodka, which had a light, fruity taste that is a refreshing change from your standard «taste-​less» vodkas.
The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable, and the tour (offered on Fridays and Saturdays) is brief, but informative. However, if you can’t make the tour, only the tastings, you’re not missing out on much. But definitely go for the tastings if you’re in the area.

4.5 really. What a nice find while tooling around Lewisburg on a cold winter’s day. We went in for a tasting to warm our ears and wound up bringing home some of their fine 7 year bourbon and some pretty awesome Jamaican rum they carry. Also brought home some vodka blueberry chocolates, some caramel bourbon sauce, and a mixer for that awesome rum.
The bourbon, to me, is the star of this place, and should they ever put their mind to it, this bourbon could be right up there among the best of them all. Smooth, caramel undertones, and nice and warm all the way down. Strong but not harsh at all, has an almost velvety feel. I am really looking forward to enjoying this. Next time we’re up that way, I think I’m going to buy a few bottles for Christmas gifts. It’s pretty special stuff.

My wife and I stopped in on our way to Lewisburg and had a great visit. Nikki poured us a few tastes and discussed each offering in detail. She even shared a bit of the «apple pie» concoction that one of the owner’s friends had made with the white whiskey. Even though we didn’t have an appointment, she showed us around the distillery and racking house. Very impressed!

Thank you for joining us at the first Taste of West Virginia event in Washington, D.C. Your spirits are great and your rye whiskey is always a hit. Hope you will join us again next year!

Cuaght them right at closing on the way back through WV. They were very helpful and accomidating. Great Rye Whisky and Vodka!

So glad I found this gem of a place.
It was a pleasure getting the tour from someone so passionate about what they do.
The products are really good, love the barrel aged Gin.

Move over Grey Goose, watch out Jack Daniels and Maker’s Mark… Smooth Ambler is on the prowl and once your customers try the small batch, handcrafted spirits they are going to wonder why they haven’t been buying true small batch spirits instead of factory liquor.
I first heard about Smooth Ambler on Facebook when lots of friends kept liking them. So I had to try this stuff… crossed an entire state, drove 3 hours to the nearest placeI could buy some and bought a bottle each of the Vodka, Gin, and White Whiskey. The vodka was so good I bought some more bottles to hand out as Christmas presents and everyone loved it! The gin is pretty darn good too if you’re into gin. Wasn’t sure what to expect with the white whiskey, it’s definitely not whiskey, but the start of whiskey… it hasn’t been aged in a barrel yet. It was a bit harsh for my likes and is more of a moonshine than a whiskey… so I shoved some apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of some other ingredients and let it age for a few weeks… warmed it up and it tasted like warm apple pie in liquid form.
I’m a huge fan of whiskeys and bourbons so when SA released their first batch of Yearling Bourbon I made the 5 hour drive just so I could secure a couple bottles since there were only 350 produced. My wife bought two and I got two… so I saved two bottles of batch 1 as a proud trophy of an excellent WV made bourbon.
When SA released Old Scout I noticed it was aged 5 years… but they had only been open two. They weren’t hiding the fact that they «scouted» this great bourbon and great it is. I finished the batch 1 bottle the first time I opened it with two friends, it was that good. This is probably the best bourbon I’ve tasted and currently on my shelf I have Knob Creek Single Barrel, Four Roses Single Barrel, JD Single Barrel, Middlewest Spritis, 12 year Jameson, and an assortment of micro distilled bourbons and whiskeys and Old Scout is my favorite, especially at a $ 34 price point.
The stillhouse at SAS is pretty cool too. Here you get to meet the owners, the guys who actually make the spirits and pour their heart and soul into it. It’s a small operation with only 4 employees. There is a bar for tasting or ordering a mixed drink, a gift shop (got me a flask, shot glass, drinking glass, and hat), and of course where the magic happens – the stillhouse. On the tour John told us that Jack Daniels spills more whiskey moving their barrels to bottles than SAS makes in a complete run, talk about small batch!
SAS makes an exceptional product, the owners are really good guys, and they’re located in America’s Coolest small town Lewisburg, WV. Stop by for a tour and a taste, you won’t be disappointed.

So while I was visiting Lewisburg and the Greenbrier Inn I also checked out this little distillery.
They provide tours, but it was a little bit earlier than their posted times, so I decided to have a tasting and perhaps acquire a bottle or too before heading back to the Tarheel state.
One of the owners happened to be there and helped me to a few tastings. Their selection is larger than I thought it would be and I was pleasantly surprised when he offered to show me around the place for a little private tour.
It was truly fascinating to learn about how they got started and how their business is growing in addition to some of the experiments that are working on to create the next great blend of liquor.
After the tasting and the tour I decided on the whiskey that had a taste like Markers Mark due to the wheat they use. Very smooth and well worth the price.
If you find yourself in this neck of the woods, check them out.

I finally got a chance to stop by here for a little tour and tasting. The owners have got this place down! If you have not had any Smooth Ambler spirits — you are missing out. Their small batch Gin is the best Gin I have ever tasted. The Small Batch Vodka is so smooth and the Whiskey is top notch.
Their brand logo and colors are really nice and the tasting room has a high end bar feel to it and the whole time you can watch the very spirits you are drinking be made.
OH — you can also go help bottle and actually sign your name on each bottle you help make — how cool is that?!
Check out their website for recipes they recommend and don’t forget to buy your SAS merchandise while you are there — these guys love the word of mouth advertising.
You can order it online too — so what are you waiting for… GET YOURS TODAY!

Smooth Ambler’s White Water Vodka is second to none, probably the smoothest drink I’ve had. The amazing thing is that as smooth as it is, it has a very distinct and enjoyable flavor, and is excellent by itself or mixed.

Coming from my perspective, the brand is sharp. I love a company whose look is as quality as their product. Try their Whitewater Vodka. Best I’ve had.

Smooth Ambler Greenbrier Gin is great. Its not like any other gin I have had. I personally like to have it with ginger ale or tonic water. The small batch quality and uniqueness can be tasted in every glass. I also love that it is an American product.