Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style

A little background

Old Forester 1920 is the third release of the Old Forester Whiskey Row Series and was created in tribute of Brown-Forman being one of only six Kentucky distilleries that received a permit to continue bottling bourbon for medicinal purposes during Prohibition and is bottled at 115⁰ since it was a common barrel proof at the time.  Retail price of around $60.

(Tasted neat in a Glencairn.)

Color in the glass

Light Copper

Nose

Dubble Bubble gum, apricots, sultanas, and vanilla custard.

Palate

Starts with strawberry Twizzlers, banana cream pie, nutmeg.  It then transitions away from the fruits to chocolate, burnt sugar, and a little graininess (which comes together to create a s’mores quality).

Finish

It is here that the whiskey switches it up and brings up some bitter dark chocolate, pecans, and allspice.

In closing

When the Old Forester 1920 originally released whiskey enthusiasts wanted a high proof Brown-Foreman product and they delivered not only that but one that can still be found without much hassle as the bourbon boom continues today.  It is the darling of the Whiskey Row (and Ol’ Fo in general) for many in the whiskey world and while I prefer a little less sweetness it does deliver a lot of flavor and worth a purchase if you prefer higher proof bourbons.  With the 1920 I feel what starts as a walk down the candy aisle is saved from becoming cloyingly sweet by a few bitter notes on the finish.