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Jim Beam Black vs Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Jim Beam Black and Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +29 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- Jim Beam Black 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
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/7 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
- 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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
- 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 neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style).