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Produced by DSP-KY-10 in Owensboro, Kentucky, this full proof version of their high-rye bourbon has become a darling to enthusiasts. They have also recently released a full proof version of their wheated bourbon as well. Green River is part of the Lofted Spirits umbrella which also includes Bardstown Bourbon Company. Both facilities have significant contract distilling programs.
Founded in 1885 by J.W. McCulloch, Green River was once one of Kentucky’s most prolific distilleries, famous for its slogan, "The Whiskey Without Regrets." Its whiskey was so highly esteemed that 20 barrels once traded for an interest in a gold mine in Colorado. A tragic fire and prohibition resulted in the distillery being shuttered for most of the 1900s before the reintroduction of the Green River name in 2022.
🛒Sourced: $49.99, 750ml - Tower Beer, Wine, and Spirits - Atlanta, GA
🧪Proof: 58.65 proof, 117.3% ABV - varies by batch
🎨Color: R4 - cheery and vaguely brown with slight yellow tint, solid legs.
🥔Mash Bill & Production:
Green River primarily selects the barrels for Full Proof Bourbon from its tile warehouses, which provide a relatively unique maturation environment (they do have other aging locations with metal sided storage). The higher heat capacity of the clay results in less abrupt changes in temperature and therefore more even aging. Higher average humidity also results in less volume losses. They are known to use a similar lab-first approach to production management as Bardstown Bourbon, both impressive facilities from a process and quality control perspective.
- Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 21% Winter Rye, 9% Malted Barley - Winter rye provides a softer and more floral spice ( similar to mint or herbal teas) as opposed to the black/white pepper punch of spring ryes.
- Age: No Age statement, batches are a blend of 5-7 year old whiskey
- Distillation Proof: 138
- Entry proof: 120
- Filtration: Non-chill filtered
- Barrel Char: Char Level 4 ("Alligator Char") on the staves, Level 2 heads
👃Nose: Very big nose right out of the bottle, smelling it on the table after I poured. It has some nice fruitiness to it with a pastry sweetness, apple pie. After a few sniffs, I find some buttery popcorn, creamy and movie theater approved.
😜Palate: Good thickness and grain forward in proportions matching the mash. The popcorn and nuts from the nose are abundant on the palate which has three movements: grain, baked goods, and fruit. Mid-palate is a sort of buttered biscuit a la Pillsbury Grands, and I get a sort of apples and figs oatmeal in transition to the finish.
💦Finish: There is a rye spicey cinnamon and tamarind throughout which lingers with the fruit as the predominant finish aspect, pretty long in duration, the winter rye in action.
🏆 Overall: 6.75/10 - Very Good - Green River's Full Proof Bourbon is quite nice, a powerful nose over a layered depth on the tongue. In comparative tastings, I do note the Green River as being more corn forward, not unpleasantly so, but the interactions with the fruit and pastry notes are not altogether additive. For a reasonably priced high ABV bourbon, this bottle has a lot of fun inside. If you like their standard bourbon, you'll love it at full proof!
💵Would buy again? Sure, it's solid whiskey, and I also plan on trying their wheated full proof.
🙈Blind Tastings:
- 7/10/26 - 1792 Full Proof Sib > Green River Full Proof > Russell's Reserve Single Barrel
⚖️Rating Scale:
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume it by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws | Struggle to get through the bottle
4 | Serviceable | Mixing or ice recommended.
5 | Good | Drinkable Neat | An agreeable dram indeed.
6 | Very Good | Any flaws offset by interesting flavors | A cut above.
7 | Great | You find yourself reaching for this one often | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Serve to Impress Guests | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite | You guard this bottle jealously