Green River Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Review

Owensboro, Kentucky’s Green River Distilling Co. has become one of those operations you associate with quality, decently priced American whiskeys that are refreshingly free from the pretension that has become almost expected across the American whiskey world at this point. Each of their products we’ve reviewed in the last couple of years has fallen pretty squarely into the camp of “high value bar staple,” and it’s not terribly surprising to find that their newly announced Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is more of the same. For the rapidly growing company that was acquired by Bardstown Bourbon Co. in mid-2022, it’s another weapon to have in their arsenal as they expand their footprint to 34 states in the U.S. by the end of 2024.

This is the first rye whiskey brand from Green River, joining several bourbon expressions. Like all of the company’s brands, this was distilled and aged at the historic Owensboro facility, this one being from a 95% rye, 5% malted barley mash bill clearly inspired by the popular MGP rye formula. That’s another thing they have in common with Bardstown Bourbon Co., who also distill this rye mash bill, among many others. The product is aged 4-6 years, making it a moderately mature rye, and bottled at 47.5% ABV (95 proof). One wonders if they would have considered bumping the proof by another 5 points in order to use the bottled-in-bond title, but presumably they like the profile best at this strength. MSRP is a pretty friendly $35, which isn’t bad at all for a moderately aged Kentucky rye these days, especially from a relatively smaller producer. All in all, everything about the makeup is saying “cocktail rye.”

This rye will launch with a celebration in Owensboro on Feb. 1, 2024, hitting shelves around the country at the same time. So with that said, let’s get to tasting this new Green River rye whiskey.

On the nose, this is modestly expressive, with slightly musty rye grain that hints at some of the younger whiskey in the blend, along with brighter orange citrus and peach fruitiness. Graham cracker pie crust is joined by mint and delicate honey sweetness as well.

On the palate, I’m getting the herbal rye, though this isn’t really as rye-forward overall as a similar 95/5 rye from MGP likely would be. It instead does read more like a classic Kentucky rye, with mild residual sweetness taking the form of honey tea with orange and plum fruitiness, met by pepper, clove and something more earthy like dried chiles. There’s a modest peppery heat to this as well, with traces of stone fruit and delicate green tea astringency.

The end impression is one of a solid cocktail rye, albeit one that isn’t necessarily bombastic or particularly memorable. For old your next old fashioned or Manhattan, there’s no doubt that this one would do just fine, and the price point seems fair. I wouldn’t mind it being a touch bolder, but there’s always a place for a more easygoing cocktail rye as well.

Distillery: Green River Distilling Co.
City: Owensboro, KY
Style: Kentucky straight rye whiskey
ABV: 47.5% (95 proof)
Availability: 750 ml bottles, $35 MSRP

Jim Vorel is a Paste staff writer and resident liquor geek. You can follow him on Twitter for more drink writing.