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Buffalo Trace vs Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Put Buffalo Trace next to Charles Goodnight Bourbon and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against an uncut, high-rye heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Charles Goodnight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$46 less | ~$75 – $80 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- Charles Goodnight Bourbon: A barrel-strength Texas bourbon. The hot Texas climate pulls a lot of oak in six years, giving deep wood, brown sugar and dark fruit with plenty of rye spice.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
- Go with Charles Goodnight Bourbon if you want a bold, oak-heavy Texas bourbon at barrel strength without hunting for it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon).