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Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style vs Buffalo Trace
Comparing Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style and Buffalo Trace reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$28 – $35 ~$31 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/4 heat: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).