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Charles Goodnight Bourbon vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Comparing Charles Goodnight Bourbon and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Charles Goodnight Bourbon | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | 12 years +6 yr |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$75 – $80 ~$8 less | ~$70 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Charles Goodnight Bourbon Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/4 fruit: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
heat 8/9 heat: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Charles Goodnight Bourbon if you want a bold, oak-heavy Texas bourbon at barrel strength at a slightly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon); neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof).