Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon Review

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style bourbon is a bold and beautiful whiskey that’s nothing short of delicious. Its versatile palate renders it perfect for both sipping and mixing, as its high proof and bold flavor ensure it can stand out in any mixed drink.

Tasting Notes

Color: A beautiful golden amber—the age isn’t stated, but judging by color alone, the liquid has had plenty of interaction with the barrel.

Nose: With rich caramel, vanilla, pear and dark cherries, underpinned by light oak, there’s plenty of alcohol, as well, not surprising given the whiskey’s high proof. But the alcohol doesn’t overwhelm the beautifully balanced aroma. 

Palate: It has rich vanilla and burnt caramel, somewhat reminiscent of a creme brûlée. The sweetness is offset by dry notes of oak and char. There are hints of sweet cherry candy, which become more pronounced when a bit of water is added. The high proof is evident on the palate, but the warmth never becomes a burn. 

Finish: Quite dry; the barrel notes of oak and char grow stronger from the tip of the tongue to the back of the palate, and by the finish, they’ve taken over completely. A long and dry tobacco aftertaste brings to mind a robust cigar.

Our Review

Old Forester 1920 is the third of four Old Forester Whiskey Row expressions chronicling the evolution of bourbon during the brand’s long history. Old Forester was one of the few distilleries allowed to continue limited production and bottling of whiskey for (ostensibly) medicinal purposes during Prohibition, and 1920 is a testament to that era of the brand. Medicinal whiskey had to be bottled at 100 proof, but according to Old Forester lore, if you “knew a guy who knew a guy,” you could get it straight out of the barrel at something closer to the 115 proof at which this is bottled. Regardless of how much truth there is to the story, the higher proof works beautifully here, giving the whiskey a bold, outsize flavor without going off the rails.

Old Forester 1920 is a classic high-proof bourbon, ticking all the boxes you’d expect: caramel, vanilla, oak, etc. But while there aren’t any real surprises, the execution is close to flawless, with the flavors in perfect balance and the alcohol adding a kick without a burn. Put it in a cocktail, and you’ll know it’s there. Sip it neat, and it doesn’t overwhelm. Add an ice cube or water (neither of which it really needs, but of course it’s up to the drinker), and it doesn’t get dumbed-down. This is a special bourbon that’s priced reasonably enough that you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to drink it.