Whiskey Review: Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Editor’s Be aware: This whiskey was supplied to us as a assessment pattern by Inexperienced River Distilling Co. This on no account, per our editorial insurance policies, influenced the ultimate final result of this assessment. It also needs to be famous that by clicking the purchase hyperlink in direction of the underside of this assessment our web site receives a small referral cost which helps to help, however not affect, our editorial and different prices.

Inexperienced River Distilling Co., certainly one of Kentucky’s unique distilleries has opened its doorways once more, and you’ll style the newest releases by Grasp Distiller Jacob Name. Initially established in 1885 by John W. McCulloch in Owensboro, Kentucky, Inexperienced River was granted the DSP-KY-10 (DSP stands for Distilled Spirits Producer).

After a fireplace in 1914 worn out the manufacturing space shortly earlier than Prohibition, the distillery closed. The property was rebuilt and handed by a collection of buyers over time with restricted success earlier than being acquired by the Terresentia Company in 2014. Ron Name, a long-time distiller who labored for Jim Beam and the Florida Caribbean Distillers, oversaw the renovations of the property to revive it extra carefully to its unique design and, hopefully, glory. In 2016, whiskey growing old started below the O. Z. Taylor identify. The identical 12 months, Ron’s son, Jacob, a well-respected distiller in his personal proper, took over as head distiller for the corporate.

In 2020, the corporate bought the rights to Inexperienced River Distilling Co. identify with the blessing of McCulloch’s nice grandson, Rob McCulloch. McCulloch’s press releases appear fairly enthusiastic in regards to the restoration of his ancestor’s whiskey. He talks fondly of his household’s recollections in regards to the distillery and appears to have stable religion within the new firm’s endeavors.

It’s onerous to not really feel a bit excited in regards to the releases given his response. The brand new firm has put a great deal of effort into connecting itself to the unique, together with by buying unique bottles and furnishings. They’ve prolonged the throwback theme of their trendy packaging. In homage to the unique firm’s designs, the bottle closely includes a horseshoe motif and the darkish inexperienced shade of the unique labels. collectors can discover fairly a little bit of unique merchandise and promotional supplies on eBay. Beneath the Owensboro Distilling Co. label, Inexperienced River produces bourbons for personal labels, together with for a producer I beforehand reviewed, Damaged Barrel.

It needs to be famous as nicely that as of the start of this month Bardstown Bourbon Firm is now within the strategy of buying Inexperienced River. Jacob Name can be leaving to pursue new ventures.

The primary launch of the Inexperienced River Kentucky Straight Bourbon, made in home and aged for over 5 years in barrel, launched in February 2022. Curiously, the corn for the mash is all Kentucky-grown and is bought from native farmers. It’s excessive in rye, which the distillery notes provides it “heat spice notes” alongside its profile of “vanilla, caramel, and chocolate mint.”

Tasting Notes: Inexperienced River Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Important Stats: Aged a minimal of 5 years in new American oak, 45% ABV, mash invoice: 70% corn, 21% winter rye, and 9% malted 2 and 6-row barley, SRP $34.99/ 750ml bottle.

Look: That is deep golden amber in shade with a golden undertone.

Nostril: The nostril opens with a shiny confectionery observe of candied cherries, ripe strawberries, and a whiff of acetone. It’s reasonably restrained with notes of roasted chocolate beneath the fruit.

Palate: The whiskey is wealthy, silky, and oily within the mouth. Notes of ripe crimson fruits and recent lemon present up with a sweetly saccharine observe like strolling right into a sweet retailer. The alcohol provides a peppery really feel, accentuating notes of candied cherries. The end is lengthy, however a bit inexperienced and astringent on the palate like over-steeped inexperienced tea.

Given the chocolate on the nostril and the greenness on the end, I can see the “chocolate mint” observe talked about within the official tasting observe, an intriguing observe for a bourbon. Water deepens the vanilla observe, enjoying properly with the crimson, fruity notes.