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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Comparing Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Charles Goodnight Bourbon reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Charles Goodnight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +6 yr | 6 years |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +9 proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$75 – $80 ~$8 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 9/8 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 9/8 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon).