Green River: “Feels Like the First Time”
Single Barrel Selection
Review by Todd Sarver | Central Ohio Whiskey Society
Last August, a COWS pick team trekked to Owensboro, KY to visit Green River Distillery. Green River was a great host. It’s a little bit of a haul, but the hospitality and the history make it well worth the journey.
- NAME – Green River – Feels Like the First Time (nobody on the pick team can remember why this name was selected – so when you partake, it will feel like your first time too)
- PROOF – 130 proof
- AGE – NAS, but approximately 6 years
- MASH BILL – 70 corn/21 rye/9 malted barley
- COLOR – Burnt umber (1.7 on the Whiskey Magazine Color Chart) – it’s pretty dark
- NOSE – Burnt pecan appears quickly joined by French vanilla and apricot with oak permeating in the background
- TASTE – The palate follows pretty closely to the nose. A burnt caramel and pecan appear up front; an oily texture coats the tongue with the vanilla and apricot appearing in the middle along with a soft honey note.
- FINISH – This is a longer finish. Baking spices pop on the back along with a soft smokiness. The vanilla and apricot hang around as well.
REVIEW – Green River is putting out great product at a very nice price point. This pick is a well-rounded robust pour that is extremely enjoyable. This is an extremely approachable 130 proof. I think the pitted fruit and vanilla notes help mute the high proof burn.
