Green River Honey-Finished Bourbon Review

Garrett
Jul 8
2 min read

Updated: Jul 14

I hadn't planned on picking up a bottle of Green River Honey Finished Bourbon.

Truth be told, I'm still a little skeptical of the flavored whiskey boom that's swept through bourbon over the last few years. Some releases have been better than others, but few have left me wanting to buy a bottle, let alone recommend one.

That changed at a recent bottle share.

Someone offered me a pour of Green River Honey, and while I was hesitant at first, one detail on the label caught my attention: finished with 100% real honey in the barrel.

That raised a question I hadn't considered before. Why hasn't anyone leaned into this approach? Or, if they have, why not make it the centerpiece of the bottle instead of burying it in the marketing?

Curiosity got the better of me, and before long I found pouring a dram to see whether Green River had created something different—or just another sweet whiskey wearing a bourbon label.

Bourbon Review FAQ's

Green River Distilling Co.
2026
Age: 4 Years
Proof: 92
Undisclosed but assumed to be 70% Corn, 21% Winter Rye, 9% Malted 2-row & 6-row Malted Barley
MSRP $25

Nose

Honey | Carmel Golden Apple| Confectionary Sugar| Light

Taste

Carmel | Licorice | Leather | Light

Finish

Oak | Granny Smith | Sorghum | Medium

Final Thoughts

I don't believe Kentucky honey is the product of a single flower. It's built from the state's forests, clover fields, wildflowers, and farmland. That feels fitting for Green River Honey—a whiskey that doesn't taste like someone poured syrup into bourbon, but one that lets the honey support the whiskey instead of replacing it.

What surprised me most was how balanced it felt. The sweetness never became overwhelming. Instead, it added richness and brought out layers I wasn't expecting. The oak from the bourbon is still there, but the real story is the marriage between the bourbon and the honey. Neither one dominates the other, and that's what makes this bottle interesting.

At around $25, I don't know that this is a bottle every bourbon enthusiast needs to keep on the shelf. What I do think is that Green River has found its lane. Every offering I've had from them has been honest about what it's trying to be, and this release is no different.

I probably won't be reaching for this neat every night, but I'd be happy to keep a bottle around. It's an easy recommendation for someone just starting their bourbon journey, especially if higher-proof pours seem intimidating. I also think it has real cocktail potential. The natural honey finish provides enough sweetness that you could build drinks around it without reaching for as much simple syrup.

This wasn't the bottle I expected to enjoy, but it ended up being one of the bigger surprises I've had this year.