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Russell’s Reserve 15 Year vs Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Charles Goodnight Bourbon reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year | Charles Goodnight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 15 years +9 yr | 6 years |
| Proof | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +2 proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$250 – $400 | ~$75 – $80 ~$248 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- 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
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/7 spice: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
oak 9/8 oak: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 7/8 heat: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10, Charles Goodnight Bourbon 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.
- 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.
- 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 Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with an older age statement.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year); neat, rocks (Charles Goodnight Bourbon).