Compare
Charles Goodnight Bourbon vs Buffalo Trace
Put Charles Goodnight Bourbon next to Buffalo Trace and you have an uncut, high-rye heavyweight set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Charles Goodnight Bourbon | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $80 | ~$28 – $35 ~$46 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Buffalo Trace does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Charles Goodnight Bourbon Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).