Green River Distillery Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Review.

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Green River Distillery Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Review.


    Since Green River has been releasing their own product, i've been a fan. Both their standard bourbon and wheated bourbon are great examples in their class. So hearing their rye was hitting the shelves you could color me interested. Sticking with a classic mash bill seemed like a great path for them. Now i've been fortunate to try Green River rye from a sourced side of things (see Black Market Rye Whiskey) and this really hit the spot for me. However, I am assuming Green River is keeping the "top barrels" for themselves, which gave me very high hopes. 


For the full video review visit the link here!: https://youtu.be/yQiz2l6yIoA

Age Statement: N/A (4-6 years old per company press release).

ABV: 47.5%.

Mashbill: 95% Rye / 5% Malted Barley.

Area of Distillation: Kentucky.

Appearance: Light Golden.


On the nose: 

    Right off the bat, there’s a bright citrusy aroma, with orange zest taking center stage. There's also a bit of that typical rye spice, a hint of mint, and a touch of wood char. The vanilla and caramel notes are well balanced with the peppercorn-like spiciness. What really surprised me is how soft the nose is, especially for a 95% rye. It doesn’t overwhelm with medicinal or herbal notes, which can sometimes scare off people who are new to rye. It feels like a great gateway whiskey for those making the jump from bourbon to rye.


Taste: 

    The first flavor that hit me was this deep, black tea note. It's got a pleasant herbal quality with a bready, rye grain character. The peppery spiciness kicks in, complemented by a soft vanilla creaminess. There’s a subtle char from the oak aging that lingers without being too aggressive. It does drink a tad warm with that "Kentucky Hug" but it’s never overpowering. You do get that rye spice, but again, not as intensely herbal or medicinal as some 95/5 ryes. Instead, there’s a lovely balance between the rye's earthy characteristics and the sweeter elements of vanilla and caramel.


Finish: 

    The finish has a light bit of pepperiness with those subtle oak notes. The rye grains lightly linger and just fade. There’s a nice balance between the rye's earthy characteristics and the sweeter elements of vanilla and caramel. A touch of a mint does show up midway through the slip. Not a super long finish, but overall nice and simple. 


Final Thoughts: 

    All in all, Green River’s Rye is a solid pour; approachable, well-balanced, good for drinking neat and should do well in a cocktail. I particularly love the black tea and rye bread notes, which really stand out for me. And while it’s not the most complex rye I’ve tasted, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially at the price point.



Rating: B (Above average).


Cost: $30-$35 for 750ml.


For the full video review visit the link here!: https://youtu.be/yQiz2l6yIoA


Social platforms to follow: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt

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