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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Comparing Old Forester 86 Proof and Charles Goodnight Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Charles Goodnight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +29 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$20 – $26 ~$55 less | ~$75 – $80 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/8 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
oak 4/8 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- 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 Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
- 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.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon).