Smooth Ambler Big Level

A little background

Big Level Bourbon is a 100 proof Non-Chilled Filtered (NCF) Wheated Bourbon that’s 100% mashed, distilled, aged, proofed, and bottled at the Smooth Ambler distillery in West Virginia. It’s made from a mashbill of 71% corn, 21% Wheat, and 8% Malted Barely. This whiskey is aged a minimum of 5 years in 53-gal. barrels with a no. 4 char. The MSRP on Smooth Ambler Big Level comes in at $55.99.

(Tasted neat from a Cradle Glass)

Color

Copper

Nose

The nose starts off with spices, heavy oaky notes, and a bit of creamy caramel. Notes cinnamon raisin bread and ethanol were present as well.

Palate

Toasted oak is the first major note. Soon followed by toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, and cinnamon spice. The overall viscosity of the bourbon was thin on the palate.

Finish

The medium finish is crisp and refreshing. A bit of spice grabs at the end but it is not overpowering and is quickly replaced with the refreshing of the citrus found in the palate.

In closing

Smooth Ambler Big Level isn’t an overly complex bourbon and did seem to be a bit unbalanced. However, the enjoyable flavors did help make up for that lack of complexity. It’s certainly not the best wheated bourbon that I’ve ever had, however it does show some promise. Smooth Ambler seems to be working hard to bring a quality product to marked that’s made from their own distillate, and that shows with Big Level. Would I pick up another bottle of Big Level at the $55.99 price point, yeah, I think I would. My suggestion, give it a try at a bar first and see if it’s for you.