Michter’s 10 Year Rye 2020

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style is the third chapter in the distillery’s highly acclaimed Whiskey Row Series, and it is widely considered a modern classic. When the Volstead Act banned alcohol across America in 1920, Old Forester’s parent company applied for and received a federal license to continue operations. They bottled bourbon exclusively for “medicinal purposes” out of their Louisville warehouse. This expression is a meticulous recreation of the rich, heavy-bodied whiskey that would have been prescribed by doctors during that dry decade.

To accurately replicate the 1920 flavor profile, master blenders look past standard bottling rules to mimic the original barrel-entry and dump proofs of the era. The result is a whiskey bottled at a commanding 115 proof. Because it undergoes minimal filtration, Old Forester 1920 preserves an immensely oily, heavy mouthfeel that carries the concentrated sugars and deep wood flavors of the barrel with zero hesitation.

Tasting Profile

• Appearance: Deep, dark mahogany with a warm crimson glow and thick, slow-creeping legs.

• Aroma: Intense, complex, and deeply sweet. Massive notes of dark cherry preserves, brown sugar, and maple syrup are met by rich notes of dark chocolate, antique leather, and a sharp, pleasant hit of rye spice.

• Palate: Massive, bold, and incredibly viscous. The high proof delivers an explosion of flavors including dark molasses, dense caramel, and nuttiness, which seamlessly transition into a dark fruit layer of plum, fig, and cherry cola.

• Finish: Monumentally long, warm, and drying. The heavy proof leaves a powerful, satisfying finish packed with charred oak tannins, rich tobacco leaf, baking spices, and a lingering hint of dark cocoa.

Old Forester 1920 is a phenomenal, unfiltered look at historical American distilling. Despite its formidable 115 proof, it drinks remarkably smooth, making it an absolute bucket-list neat pour for any serious bourbon fan. It also possesses more than enough structural power to act as the ultimate foundation for a world-class Old Fashioned or Manhattan.