Charles Goodnight Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey 115 Proof Southern

57.5% ABV, (115 Proof) 750 ml, Six years in charred American oak barrels

Charles Goodnight 115 Proof was award “Best Bourbon in the World” at the London Spirits Competition!

From Forbes: “The results are in from the 2024 London Spirits Competition and there are some serious surprises in the mix. As one of Europe’s most prestigious tasting events, the annual judging brings together 40 esteemed palates from throughout all walks of the booze industry. What they ordain as the best of the best—across a total of 29 different categories—can provide a massive boost to brands, especially upstart craft purveyors.

Today we’re going to take a closer look at what they named as The Best Straight Bourbon of the Year: Charles Goodnight Bourbon, produced by Foley Family Wines.

If you were expecting something out of Kentucky, it’s understandable. After all, the Bluegrass State does account for nearly 95% of total bourbon production. But hold on to your cowboy hats, folks, because this one is from deep in the heart of Texas. Sourced from an undisclosed distillery (or distilleries) therein, Charles Goodnight is a high-rye expression, aged for six years and brought to bottle at a palate-punching 115 proof.

Though it is an unapologetically aggressive pour, there are wondrous flavors that come along with that heat. Namely, dark roast coffee, s’mores, and molasses. There’s also a complex finish to ponder—a lengthy escapade in which those aforementioned sweeter elements resolve themselves in oak spice.

Clearly, the judges in London were won-over by this complexity. And perhaps they even added a drop or two of room temperature water to the glass in order to accentuate it all. In my experience, this is a dram that benefits from such a maneuver.

The distinction at London Spirits marks another big win for brand founder Bill Foley, who named the whiskey after his great-great uncle (a celebrated 19th century Texas rancher). He also happens to own the Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL team that took home the Stanley Cup last June, just 6 years after expanding into the league.”

“Charles Goodnight Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made from Texas-grown corn and water sourced from deep local underground aquifers. The mash bill is packed with rye – 36% to be exact – for a peppery spice to complement the sweetness of the corn. This bold, high rye Texas bourbon is aged in new, charred American white oak barrels for six years in the intense Texas heat for a dark, rich, and hearty character. This unique aging process, when combined with locally sourced water and corn, means Charles Goodnight Whiskey is not just distilled in Texas… it is Texas, distilled.”

NOSE
Begins with tree fruits – apricots, peaches, and nectarines, giving way to toasty oak notes of caramel, brown sugar and sweet vanilla and just the memory of dark chocolate. On a third pass, notes of bright citrus-orange and lemon zest, with white pepper spice and just a hint of dried fruits-raisins and figs.

PALATE
A very viscous, almost creamy texture that dries out beautifully revealing caramel and honey sweetness, cream soda, toasted nuts, dark chocolate, and baking spices.

FINISH
Medium-long, with a lasting reminder of toasted hazelnuts and a touch of honey sweetness.