Green River Straight Bourbon is crafted on the historic Green River campus in Owensboro, Kentucky. Over its storied past, numerous brands have been made there, including Ezra Brooks, Mellow Corn, Medley Brothers, Old Medley, Five Brothers, and Kentucky Beau. According to Green River, Terressentia Corporation purchased the distillery in 2014 and began renovation. In 2016, the distillery laid down their first barrels, and acting master distiller Ron Call passed the torch to his son, Jacob Call. In 2020, Green River Distilling Co. returned to its original name.

Green River Straight Bourbon marks some of the first bourbon the company laid down five years ago, which has come a long way since we tasted the brand a year ago when it was just shy of four years old. A distillery never knows how their first lot of bourbon will come out and releasing it can be risky for any new distillery. Yet, Green River Straight Bourbon nails it out of the gate with their 5 year old stock. What makes it work is that it’s an incredibly easy sipping bourbon thanks to an agreeable flavor profile. Despite being only 90 proof, it still packs ample intensity and a pop of heat. It’s not overly complex and the finish is on the shorter side, yet it only takes one sip to know this bourbon works. If you’re looking for very drinkable bourbon at a very reasonable price, Green River Straight Bourbon is a fantastic place to start.