Compare
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +33 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$28 – $36 ~$31 less |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/2 heat: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).