Compare
Evan Williams Black Label vs Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Put Evan Williams Black Label next to Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +29 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$14 – $18 ~$47 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/7 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- 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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style if you want a rich, high-proof, dessert-leaning bourbon with real weight in the glass.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style).