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Buffalo Trace vs Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Comparing Buffalo Trace and Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$31 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style: Dense and syrupy for its age, with molasses and dark chocolate carrying a serious 115-proof punch. The high rye reads as baking spice rather than sharpness, and the body is unusually thick.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
- Go with Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style if you want a rich, high-proof, dessert-leaning bourbon with real weight in the glass without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style).