A little background
Green River Honey Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is one of the more interesting entries in the honey whiskey category in recent memory — and that’s largely because it’s actually bourbon first. Green River Distilling Co., the historic Owensboro, Kentucky distillery operating out of DSP-KY-10 (the 10th oldest licensed distillery in the state), starts with a four-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon and finishes it by adding a proprietary blend of locally sourced, raw, unfiltered honey directly into the barrel. That means the honey and bourbon marry through genuine barrel interaction, not through post-production blending or artificial sweeteners. The result is bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV) and retails for a very accessible $24.99.
Green River describes Green River Honey Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey as a deliberate departure from a category that has largely drifted toward heavily sweetened, low-proof liqueur-style products. The honey is sourced through a partnership with Above the Dirt Garden and Honey Shop, a Kentucky Proud beekeeper-owned business working with a network of family-owned apiaries across the Midwest and South. Master Blender Dan Callaway has been outspoken about the fact that “natural flavors” in competing products aren’t always what they seem — and Green River Honey is positioned as the cleaner, more honest alternative. Given that Green River’s Wheated Bourbon was named Best Overall Bourbon at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, there’s a solid track record behind this release.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)
Color
Gold
| Nose | Taste | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Honey, cinnamon, baking spice, vanilla, caramel, oak | Honey, light oak, cinnamon, vanilla, orange citrus, graham cracker | Cinnamon, pepper spice, vanilla, butterscotch, peaches, caramel, honey |
In closing
At the end of the day, Green River Honey Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a genuinely impressive value play in a category that doesn’t always reward the consumer. The barrel-finished approach pays off — this doesn’t drink like a flavored whiskey dressed up in bourbon clothing. The honey is present and real, but the oak, cinnamon spice, and vanilla backbone remind you throughout that you’re drinking actual bourbon. The nose is warm and inviting, the palate delivers a nice complexity between the citrus and graham cracker notes alongside the honey sweetness, and the finish has enough pepper and butterscotch to keep things interesting. At $24.99, Green River Honey Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a legitimate steal. Whether you’re sipping it neat, on the rocks, or building a Gold Rush with just lemon and a shake, this bottle punches well above its price point and stands out as one of the more honest, well-crafted offerings in the honey whiskey space.
NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Green River Distillery. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.
Green River Honey Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
The Good
- Exceptional value
- Authentically finished
- Fantastic for cocktails
- 4yr Age Stated
The Bad
- Honey dominance throughout
