Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/7 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a 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 neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style).