Charles Goodnight Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Charles Goodnight Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a 115-proof Texas bourbon: six years in new charred American white oak, a high-rye 60% corn / 36% rye / 4% barley mash bill, triple distilled in a copper-lined Vendome pot still, and bottled non-chill filtered at 57.5% ABV. Named for the legendary Texas cattleman and built as a steak-pairing bourbon, it's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 57.5% (115 proof), bottled at barrel strength
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 6 years in new charred American white oak (Texas heat)
- Mash bill: 60% Texas-grown yellow #2 corn, 36% unmalted rye, 4% barley — triple pot-distilled, non-chill filtered
- Origin: distilled and aged in Texas for Foley Family Wines (Bill Foley, great-great nephew of the namesake); relaunched Sept 2023
The Cattleman's Bourbon
Charles Goodnight drove cattle up the Goodnight-Loving Trail and invented the chuckwagon — and this bourbon is built in his image: bold, high-rye, and unapologetic. Owner Bill Foley relaunched the brand in 2023 as a true Texas expression (the earlier 2017 release was a 100-proof Kentucky bourbon), positioning it as the steakhouse pour — "crafted to pair as perfectly with a well-prepared steak as a bold Napa Cab." Browse the store's Charles Goodnight collection or explore more high-proof bourbon.
Tasting Notes
Nose — toasted caramel; tree fruits (apricots, peaches, nectarines) giving way to toasty oak, caramel, brown sugar, sweet vanilla, a memory of dark chocolate; citrus-orange and lemon zest with white pepper. Palate — very viscous, almost creamy; caramel and honey sweetness, cream soda, toasted nuts, dark chocolate, baking spices. Finish — medium-long, toasted hazelnuts with a touch of honey (official site notes; The Whiskey Wash adds cherry, hickory smoke, leather, full-bodied with an effervescent mouthfeel).
How to Enjoy
Neat in a rocks glass, or with a single large cube — at 115 proof it can take the dilution. Built for a ribeye: pour it alongside the steak and let the high-rye spice cut the fat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is Charles Goodnight bourbon?
115 proof (57.5% ABV) — bottled at barrel strength, non-chill filtered.
What is the mash bill?
60% Texas-grown yellow #2 corn, 36% unmalted rye, 4% barley — a high-rye recipe, triple distilled in a copper-lined Vendome pot still.
Who owns Charles Goodnight whiskey?
Foley Family Wines, founded by Bill Foley — the great-great nephew of the namesake Texas cattleman Charles Goodnight.
Barrel-strength Texas bourbon with a steakhouse pedigree — order Charles Goodnight online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.