Review #644 - Green River Full Proof Bourbon
While many bourbon brands are focusing on producing ever more expensive premium bottles, there are also some newer brands that are targeting the more affordable segments of the market. Here's one: Green River, based in Owensboro, Kentucky.
This Full Proof Bourbon is the high-strength offering in their core range, and this specific bottle comes with a strength of 58.65% ABV (117.3 proof); actually, while the term 'full proof' generally means that the whisky is bottled at the same strength as the barrel entry proof, in this case, the back label explains that this is actually a 'barrel proof' bourbon.
There's no age statement on the bottle, and since it's labeled as a straight bourbon, we know that this is at least 4 years old (bourbons labeled as 'straight' that are under 4 years old must have an age statement on the bottle). Green River uses a mashbill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley for this bourbon.
Green River Full Proof Bourbon
USA - Bourbon
Price: USD 45 (2025)
Age Statement: NAS
Strength: 58.65% ABV
Details: Not chill filtered
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 9 months; bottles at 100%, 80%, and 70% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a nosing glass each time, rested 15+ minutes
Nose: Oaky and spicy, a bit dense to start. Apple, vanilla, and brown sugar combine with nutty notes and a tiny hint of cherry; hints of mint and leather build with time. The oak is relatively drying.
Palate: The mouthfeel is medium-thick, and it's quite spicy again to start: rich oak, peppermint, black pepper, cinnamon. Peanut butter and cherry jam come in behind that to add a sweeter and more creamy side; caramel corn and butterscotch add classic corn spirit notes.
Finish: Lots of mint and cinnamon, juxtaposed by red fruit jams - cherry, strawberry, both sweet and tart. Vanilla adds more of a baking side, and we get a hint of cream soda; it's a bit warm or even hot, and the finish is medium-long.
Final Note: This is a good full proof bourbon - an interesting combination of flavors, with a good mix of fruit, baking notes, and spice depending on the tasting session. Texture is good with that strength, and the finish is warm and lingering; there was also a good balance of sweet to spicy flavors overall.
Value here is excellent - there aren't many full proof or barrel proof bourbons available under $50, especially with this sort of quality. Highly recommended if you want to try something from Green River - for us, this is the sweet spot in their current range.
Our Average Rating: 7.0 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 7.63
About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.
Check out our other Green River reviews:
