Old Forester 1920: The Bourbon That Was Worth a Six-Year Wait

I have chased a lot of bottles over the years, but Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style haunted me. I first tasted it in 2019 at the Old Forester distillery on Main Street in Louisville and instantly knew I should have bought it. The problem was a suitcase already bursting with Maker’s Mark souvenirs and the prospect of airline baggage charges.

I passed on it and I have regretted that decision for six long years. Thanks to a very kind friend who brought a bottle over from Kentucky, I have finally reunited with it. The question is whether it was worth the wait. The answer is simple. Yes. Completely.

At 57.5 percent, this bourbon does not whisper its presence. It hits the glass with a dark, brooding colour that already hints at weight and intensity. The mash bill is a classic Old Forester recipe of 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley, and the style is inspired by the distillery’s prohibition era heritage. Even before tasting it you understand that this is a whiskey built on character.

The nose carries you straight into a Kentucky warehouse. There is a rush of heavy caramel and vanilla drifting over seasoned oak, the kind of aroma that settles into your clothes. Yet it is not a sweet dram. Beneath the familiar bourbon comfort are crisp red apples and flashes of spice. The rye introduces itself slowly with notes of spiced tobacco and a savoury edge that brings depth. Give it time and it becomes increasingly leathery with hints of parmesan rind and high cocoa chocolate. It is bold, layered and unapologetic.

On the palate the power is immediate. The high proof commands attention, but it never feels chaotic. Thick waves of dark fruit, tobacco and old wood roll across the tongue before the rye explodes again, lifting everything with mint, pine and garden herbs. Just when you think you have it pinned down, it turns dry and grips hard. Bitter citrus peel, black pepper and dark chocolate compete with the sweetness in a tug of war that lasts long into the finish. It is wild, complex and full of personality.

This bottle sits in the same emotional territory as heavyweights like George T. Stagg or Stagg Jr. It has that same raw energy, the kind that reminds you that great whiskey should command respect. The only frustration is availability and price. In the United States it sells for around 63 dollars which makes it a complete bargain. In the UK it is scarce and often closer to 95 to 100 pounds which takes the shine off the value. Even so, it is an incredible bourbon and a genuine nine out of ten for me. If I could buy it locally at US pricing it would be a perfect ten. Have you tried Old Forester 1920 and does it live up to the hype for you?

For a more detailed breakdown and to see the whisky for yourself, you can watch my full video on the subject below.