Search
Close this search box.
Bourbon

Whiskey Review Round Up: The Senator and The Ambassador

OVERALL
RATING

Whiskey Review Round Up: The Senator and The Ambassador

Tasting Notes:

About:
Aged at least 6 years in new, American Oak. It’s 121.4 proof and 60.7% ABV. Distilled at MGP in Indiana, and bottled by Proof and Wood Ventures in Bardstown, KY. The mash bill is 95% rye and 5% barley. The Ambassador is a straight bourbon whiskey, aged for a minimum of 12 years in new charred American Oak. The mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. It was distilled by MGP in Indiana.
Appearance:
The color is similar to a brand new copper penny, and the liquid is full bodied. The legs are graceful, but not delicate and cascade leisurely down the glass. It’s very amber, almost red in color. It’s not heavy but not light, settling in a Goldilocks middle ground.
Nose:
On first glance this whiskey smells grassy, a little bit dirty. There are some nice complexities, as it opens up, it smells a lot more sweet like a warm cinnamon roll. Warm cornbread, ginger, apples and sweet tea round out this easy-drinking bourbon. There’s a slight citrusy scent, orange oils, apples, and allspice.
Palate:
The high ABV makes this rye feel all tingly all the way down to the pit of my stomach. It almost feels like heartburn at first, but after the whiskey opens up, it becomes more mellow. I added an ice cube to bring down the intensity from this boozy whiskey. It’s not intensely rye-heavy, but has a small amount of that rye spiciness that the grain is known for. It starts off sweet, it almost tastes a little bit burnt and very spicy. The rye and barley make for a very earthy combination. The rye is coming off as a little bit sour at first, with some interesting sweetness. I can’t totally decide if I like this or not. The finish is very long, turning from earthy to more of a mushroom dryness and umami flavor. The mouthfeel is dry throughout. Final Thoughts: For me, this missed the mark just slightly. I thought the rye was just a little bit sour, but could be tasty if that’s what you’re looking for in a rye. It had nice complexities, a delicate sweetness that was enjoyable. SCORE: 3/5 Tasting Notes: The Ambassador Straight Bourbon Whiskey Vital Stats: The Ambassador is a straight bourbon whiskey, aged for a minimum of 12 years in new charred American Oak. The mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. It was distilled by MGP in Indiana. Appearance: It’s very amber, almost red in color. It’s not heavy but not light, settling in a Goldilocks middle ground. Nose: Warm cornbread, ginger, apples and sweet tea round out this easy-drinking bourbon. There’s a slight citrusy scent, orange oils, apples, and allspice. Palate: The Ambassador is a really easy-drinking bourbon. It’s the kind of thing that I’d like to sip out on my porch in the dead of summer. It starts of sweet and unassuming, and builds into some spice from there rye. There are notes of orange, dark cherry, cinnamon muffins. The oak and rye come out in the body of flavor, and trail off into a pleasant finish that doesn’t linger too long. Final Thoughts: I enjoyed this one a lot more than the Senator. I think the bourbon was well balanced, mature, and easy to sip on neat, on rocks or in whatever whiskey cocktail you find most refreshing. I’m hanging on to this bottle to keep in my collections of favorites. SCORE: 4.5/5
Finish:
Comments:

Editor’s Note: These whiskeys were provided to us as review samples by Proof and Wood Ventures. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.

The Senator and The Ambassador are two whiskies made by MGP and bottled by Proof  and Wood Ventures in Bardstown, Kentucky. The brand seems to honor American tradition by finding inspiration in the deep roots of the American political system. The Senator is a 6 year aged straight rye whiskey, while the Ambassador is a 12 year straight bourbon whiskey. Both are barrel proof, which means they boast a higher-than-average ABV.

The Senator and The Ambassador are the unofficial follow-up to another release, The Presidential Dram, bottled in 2016 and released in January 2017 to commemorate the inauguration of a new president.  To clarify, when Proof and Wood Ventures came up with their original idea, the election was not yet decided,  but their whiskey is less about who is sitting in the White House, than it is about American tradition.

The Senator and The Ambassador
The Senator and The Ambassador (image via Shauna McKnight/The Whiskey Wash)

Tasting Notes: The Senator Straight Rye Whiskey

Vital Stats: Aged at least 6 years in new, American Oak. It’s 121.4 proof and 60.7% ABV. Distilled at MGP in Indiana, and bottled by Proof and Wood Ventures in Bardstown, KY. The mash bill is 95% rye and 5% barley.

Appearance: The color is similar to a brand new copper penny, and the liquid is full bodied. The legs are graceful, but not delicate and cascade leisurely down the glass.

Nose: On first glance this whiskey smells grassy, a little bit dirty. There are some nice complexities, as it opens up, it smells a lot more sweet like a warm cinnamon roll.

Palate: The high ABV makes this rye feel all tingly all the way down to the pit of my stomach. It almost feels like heartburn at first, but after the whiskey opens up, it becomes more mellow. I added an ice cube to bring down the intensity from this boozy whiskey. It’s not intensely rye-heavy, but has a small amount of that rye spiciness that the grain is known for. It starts off sweet, it almost tastes a little bit burnt and very spicy. The rye and barley make for a very earthy combination. The rye is coming off as a little bit sour at first, with some interesting sweetness. I can’t  totally decide if I like this or not. The finish is very long, turning from earthy to more of a mushroom dryness and umami flavor. The mouthfeel is dry throughout.

Final Thoughts: For me, this missed the mark just slightly. I thought the rye was just a little bit sour, but could be tasty if that’s what you’re looking for in a rye. It had nice complexities, a delicate sweetness that was enjoyable.

SCORE: 3/5

Tasting Notes: The Ambassador Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Vital Stats: The Ambassador is a straight bourbon whiskey, aged for a minimum of 12 years in new charred American Oak.  The mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. It was distilled by MGP in Indiana.

Appearance: It’s very amber, almost red in color. It’s not heavy but not light, settling in a Goldilocks middle ground.

Nose: Warm cornbread, ginger, apples and sweet tea round out this easy-drinking bourbon. There’s a slight citrusy scent, orange oils, apples, and allspice.

Palate: The Ambassador is a really easy-drinking bourbon. It’s the kind of thing that I’d like to sip out on my porch in the dead of summer. It starts of sweet and unassuming, and builds into some spice from there rye. There are notes of orange, dark cherry, cinnamon muffins. The oak and rye come out in the body of flavor, and trail off into a pleasant finish that doesn’t linger too long.

Final Thoughts: I enjoyed this one a lot more than the Senator. I think the bourbon was well balanced, mature, and easy to sip on neat, on rocks or in whatever whiskey cocktail you find most refreshing. I’m hanging on to this bottle to keep in my collections of favorites.

SCORE: 4.5/5

Search
  • Latest News
  • Latest Reviews