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Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
On paper Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style and Smooth Ambler Old Scout are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (115 vs. 99) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +16 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$40 – $50 ~$18 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.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 7/6 heat: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout: Sourced MGP bourbon selected and bottled in West Virginia, and one of the more honest sourced brands about exactly what it is. The characteristic MGP dill-and-pepper signature, cleanly presented.
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 Smooth Ambler Old Scout if you want the classic MGP high-rye profile from a bottler that has always been upfront about sourcing at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).