Smooth Ambler Contradiction Bourbon Whiskey
Smooth Ambler Contradiction Bourbon Whiskey is a 750mL bourbon bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV) in Maxwelton, West Virginia — a blend of straight bourbons from three states: Smooth Ambler's own wheated bourbon, a sourced Indiana high-rye bourbon, and a sourced Tennessee bourbon, combining into a four-grain whiskey. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: Three straight bourbons — West Virginia (house-distilled), Indiana and Tennessee (sourced)
- Mash bills: WV 71% corn / 21% wheat / 8% malted barley; Indiana 75% corn / 21% rye / 4% malted barley; Tennessee 84% corn / 8% rye / 8% malted barley
- Profile: Four grains — corn, wheat, rye and malted barley
- Distillery: Smooth Ambler Spirits, Maxwelton, Greenbrier Valley
- Origin: West Virginia
A Blend of Whiskey We Make With Whiskey We Do Not
That is Smooth Ambler's own framing for Contradiction, founded in Maxwelton in 2009 under head distiller John Little: marry the wheated bourbon the distillery makes itself in the Greenbrier Valley with sourced straight bourbons it admires — a high-rye Indiana bourbon and a Tennessee bourbon — and let wheat sweetness and rye spice correct each other. The current bottling carries a Gold from the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 94 points from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, per the badges on the distillery's product page. Browse the distillery on the Smooth Ambler vendor page, or explore our bourbon whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
In the brand's earlier description of the blend: dried fruit and butter rum from the four grains; a nose of oak, dried cherries, vanilla and cinnamon; wheat sweetness and rye spice on the palate with leather; and a smooth, viscous finish.
How to Enjoy
Pour it neat to taste the wheat-versus-rye argument resolve itself, or stir it into an Old Fashioned — the four-grain depth holds up against bitters and sugar. More blended bourbon is in our bourbon whiskey collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Contradiction?
Because it deliberately blends bourbon Smooth Ambler distils itself in West Virginia with bourbon it sources from Indiana and Tennessee — the brand calls it "a blend of whiskey we make with whiskey we do not."
What proof is Contradiction?
92 proof (46% ABV) in the current bottling. The original 2015 release was 100 proof; the brand lowered it to 92 proof in 2018.
Is Contradiction age-stated?
No — the current bottling carries no age statement.
Three states, four grains, one argument settled — order Smooth Ambler Contradiction online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.