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Charles Goodnight Bourbon vs Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Charles Goodnight Bourbon and Russell’s Reserve 10 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Charles Goodnight Bourbon | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | 10 years +4 yr |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$75 – $80 | ~$40 – $50 ~$33 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.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Charles Goodnight Bourbon Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
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 Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon); neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year).