Compare
Charles Goodnight Bourbon vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Charles Goodnight Bourbon next to W.L. Weller 12 Year and you have an uncut, high-rye heavyweight set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Charles Goodnight Bourbon | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 6 years | 12 years +6 yr |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $80 ~$48 less | ~$70 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller 12 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.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Charles Goodnight Bourbon W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/2 spice: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
heat 8/3 heat: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- W.L. Weller 12 Year: Twelve years on a wheated mash at a modest 90 proof, which is the combination that made this bottle famous. Deep caramel and baked fruit with polished rather than aggressive oak — the closest widely-discussed analogue to the Pappy profile.
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 W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).