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Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (115 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +15 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less |
- 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.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/5 heat: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 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.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).