Smooth Ambler Contradiction Bourbon 750ML

Smooth Ambler Contradiction Bourbon 750ML is a 92-proof (46% ABV) blended bourbon that marries wheated and rye-forward bourbons from three states into a single 750ml bottle. A Gold medal winner at the World Whiskies Awards and ASCOT Awards, Contradiction stands out through its unusual post-blending re-casking process—a step rarely seen in American whiskey production.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 Proof)  |  Origin: Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia  |  Blended Bourbon  |  Distillery: Smooth Ambler Spirits

Production & Heritage

Smooth Ambler Spirits operates out of Maxwelton in West Virginia's Greenbrier Valley, a region with limited bourbon-making history that the distillery has helped put on the map. Contradiction combines a wheated bourbon distilled in-house in West Virginia (60% corn, 20% wheat, 20% malted barley) with two different rye-forward bourbons sourced from Tennessee and Indiana (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley). After blending, the whiskey is returned to its original barrels for an additional three months of maturation—a re-casking step that knits the disparate components together. The final product is bottled non-chill filtered at 46% ABV, preserving the full range of oils and texture developed during aging.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramel and vanilla arrive first, followed by toasted oak and a thread of clove and allspice. Deeper inhalation reveals runny honey, dried dark fruit, and a faint cocoa undertone.

Taste: The entry is soft and honeyed, with toffee and brown sugar coating the palate. Mid-palate, the rye component announces itself with gentle pepperiness and baking spice, while the wheated bourbon contributes a round, almost creamy sweetness. Dried cherry and a subtle leatheriness emerge as the flavor builds.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with lingering cinnamon, graham cracker, and toasted oak. A touch of molasses sweetness persists alongside fading spice.

How to Drink Contradiction

Neat or with a few drops of water is the best way to appreciate how the wheated and rye components interact; the 92-proof strength holds up well with a single large ice cube for those who prefer it chilled. An Old Fashioned lets the caramel and baking-spice character shine against bitters and citrus peel. A Boulevardier benefits from the bourbon's natural sweetness and non-chill filtered body, balancing the bitterness of Campari. In a Paper Plane, Contradiction's dried-fruit and spice notes complement the amaro and citrus without being overpowered.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring multi-state blending and non-chill filtered releases
• Gifting to someone who appreciates small-batch West Virginia distilling
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheated versus rye-forward bourbon profiles
• Fall and winter evening sipping sessions by the fire

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Contradiction taste like? Contradiction leads with caramel, honey, and vanilla sweetness from its wheated bourbon component, then transitions into rye-driven baking spice, dried cherry, and a touch of leather. The finish is warming and moderately long, anchored by toasted oak and cinnamon.

How does Contradiction compare to High West Double Rye? Both whiskeys are built on the concept of blending spirits from multiple sources, but Contradiction is a bourbon with a strong wheated backbone, while High West Double Rye is a straight rye whiskey with a spicier, more herbaceous profile. Contradiction tends to drink sweeter and rounder, whereas Double Rye leans into bold pepper and mint notes.

Is Contradiction good for sipping neat? Yes—at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, it has enough body and complexity to reward neat sipping without being overly hot. A few drops of water open up additional sweetness and fruit character.

Where is Contradiction made? The wheated bourbon in the blend is distilled at Smooth Ambler Spirits in Maxwelton, located in the Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia. The two rye-forward bourbons are sourced from distilleries in Tennessee and Indiana, then all components are blended and re-casked at the West Virginia facility.

What foods pair well with Contradiction? Smoked pulled pork highlights the bourbon's caramel and oak notes. Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and dried-fruit undertones. Aged cheddar or Gruyère matches the honeyed sweetness. Pecan pie mirrors the toffee and baking spice, and charcuterie with fig jam plays off the leather and dark fruit aromas.

What sizes does Contradiction come in? Smooth Ambler Contradiction is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Contradiction worth the price? Contradiction positions as a mid-range bourbon that punches above its price tier thanks to the non-chill filtered bottling, higher-than-standard proof, and the added complexity from re-casking after blending. For drinkers interested in multi-source blends with genuine production innovation, it represents strong value.

Why Contradiction?

The re-casking step is the real differentiator here. Where most blended bourbons go straight from the blending tank to the bottle, Contradiction returns to its original barrels for three additional months, allowing the wheated and rye-forward components to fully integrate. The result, bottled non-chill filtered at 46% ABV, is a bourbon with unusual textural richness and a layered flavor arc that moves convincingly from sweet to spicy. Gold medals at both the World Whiskies Awards and ASCOT Awards validate what the palate confirms: this is a thoughtfully constructed bourbon from a distillery that has earned its reputation through transparency and technique rather than marketing mythology.