Compare
Charles Goodnight Bourbon vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing Charles Goodnight Bourbon and Old Forester 86 Proof reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Charles Goodnight Bourbon | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +29 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$75 – $80 | ~$20 – $26 ~$55 less |
- 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.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Charles Goodnight Bourbon Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/3 heat: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
oak 8/4 oak: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 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.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Charles Goodnight Bourbon if you want a bold, oak-heavy Texas bourbon at barrel strength with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).