We’ve sampled the flagship bourbon from Green River Distilling, as well as their wheated bourbon offering. Today, we’re checking out their high proof offering - Green River Full Proof.
Resurrected Distilling
Today, the Green River brand of bourbons is produced in Owensboro, Kentucky by Green River Distilling. Founded by John W. MuCulloch in 1885, Green River was Kentucky’s 10th oldest distillery (DSP-10). The brand was celebrated for quality and became known as “The Whiskey Without Regrets” before being lost to history following Prohibition.
The brand was resurrected a decade ago when Terressentia Corporation purchased the location and by 2016 began releasing their rapidly aged products under the O.Z. Tyler Distillery name. At the same time, though, they also began filling some more traditionally aged barrels. In 2020, the distillery was rebranded as the Green River Distillery. In mid-2022, Bardstown Bourbon Company purchased all of the Green River assets.
The Tasting
This full-proof offering comes in the brand’s standard, horseshoe shaped bottle with a faux tax stamp and wooden cork bearing the DSP-KY-10 distinction. The mash bill is 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. The finished product is bottled at 117.3 proof with an MSRP of $49.. From the website we're told to expect warming spice, vanilla, caramel and chocolate-coated peppermints, with aromatic notes of cinnamon, dried cherry, and light leather.
Color: Amber, with short, stout legs displayed inside my Glencairn glass.
Nose: Vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch toffee abound, along with some lighter floral and apple blossom.
Palate: Rich and creamy, coating my entire tongue. Vanilla and cinnamon spice abounds, with more floral and slightly fruity notes.
Finish: Long and lingering, with heaps of vanilla and spice, followed by a long, slow, drying finish..
Overall: This was fairly smooth, but not for the faint of heart. The high proof does make itself known quickly. If you’re not a purveyor of higher proofs or you’re wanting more smoother, less spicy notes, a splash of water or ice will help this one go down easier.
Like the lower-proof flagship brand, this definitely packs some heat; for a smoother sipper from Green River, their wheated bourbon is hard to beat. In terms of value, at $50 MSRP, you’re starting to push other solid offerings, such as Kentucky Spirit and Rare Breed from Wild Turkey as well as some flavorful, though less widely available offerings, from Casey Jones and Ben Holladay.
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