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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Old Forester 86 Proof and Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +29 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$40 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/7 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 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 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
- 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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
- 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 cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style).