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Charles Goodnight Bourbon vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing Charles Goodnight Bourbon and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Charles Goodnight Bourbon | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | 15 years +9 yr |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $80 ~$248 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 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.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Charles Goodnight Bourbon Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/6 spice: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
heat 8/7 heat: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Charles Goodnight Bourbon if you want a bold, oak-heavy Texas bourbon at barrel strength at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).