Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style

---

I was recently down visiting my in-laws in Ohio and as is usually the case I wandered into the local Kroger to take a look at their whiskey selection. Besides some smaller regional offerings they don't typically carry anything that I can't get up in Michigan.

Though I have never seen the Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style bourbon in my local stores I am sure it is probably pretty readily available. I have a feeling I just overlooked it because I was on the search for other bottles.

I had seen some really good reviews on this bottle, so I decided to pick one up while I was down in Ohio.

In case you can't read the label, this is what it says:

---

During Prohibition, Old Forester was bottled as medicinal whisky at 117 W. Main St. under KY Permit No. 3. The typical barrel proof at that time prior to bottling was 115.

---

---

This is only my second bottle of barrel strength bourbon and at 115 proof it definitely packs a punch. That's 57.5% alcohol by volume (AVB) if you didn't catch that on the bottle. Compared to 70 to 80 proof for most run of the mill spirits (vodka, rum, etc.) in the US you get an idea of how hefty this stuff is.

---

I knew it was going to be important to take it easy with this stuff. I am always a bit apprehensive when I try barrel proof stuff because you never quite know what you are going to get.

---

As you can tell from the bottle and the pour, this has a deep caramel color. The nose is pretty pleasant and definitely a case where it hits harder than it smells.

I hesitate to say it tasted like gasoline because that leaves a negative connotation. Instead I will just say it hits like gasoline, without the horrible taste or smell.

I added a little water just to be safe, but my first sip still nearly knocked me over. The funny thing is, the burn wasn't nearly as unpleasant as it sounds. It was a sweet burn with heavy caramel undertones and an equally sweet finish that I wasn't expecting for as hard as it hits you on the front side. Going back and reading the bottle now I can definitely relate to the "medicinal" quality the liquor possesses. That would probably be a better comparison versus the gasoline one I used earlier.

You might be shocked to hear that I actually really like this bottle. I think in the future I will be drinking it in a rocks glass over ice though. I can't quite hang with the big dogs on this one. I am still working on getting my "neat" feet under me.

That being said, this is probably my favorite so far of the few barrel proof bourbons I have tried to date. This and the Wild Turkey Rare Breed that I reviewed earlier share a similar price of around $60 USD.

If you happen to be in your local store and you see this, you should pick up a bottle.

I highly recommend it.

---

Sports Talk Social - @bozz.sports

---

---

@eos.detroit Staff Writer/BOID Team Leader
Join our Discord here

All pictures taken by myself or @mrsbozz