Green River "Green Mile" Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey The Prime Barrel Pick #89

A team of four from The Prime Barrel, including Jake of the @coming_whiskey Instagram account known for its whiskey release updates, had a memorable day selecting a Green River barrel in Owensboro, KY. With its roots stretching back to 1885, Green River boasts the historical marker KY-DSP-10, marking it as Kentucky's tenth oldest distillery.

Following various changes in name and ownership, and a prolonged closure during the bourbon downturn, the distillery was fully restored in 2014, with distillation recommencing in 2016.

2023 marked the launch of Green River's single barrel program, with fewer than 100 barrels made available. The Prime Barrel made history by selecting the first barrel for New York and being just the 69th selection overall.

Our day kicked off with a comprehensive tour, highlighting the 54” column still—a central piece of their distillation process.

Entering a rickhouse, we were greeted by the sight of a long table set with four freshly drawn samples, creating an idyllic backdrop for our selection process.

Initial tasting was met with contemplative silence as we evaluated the samples. It quickly became clear that two samples stood out unanimously.

In the blind second round, our discussions on each sample's virtues led to the unanimous selection of sample A, which, revealed post-tasting, was also our first-round favorite.  We were frankly surprised at how good the juice was. For the age, this was far superior to what we had expected. In fact, it could be part of your last meal - hence the monicker "Green Mile" (we kid, of course).

The experience underscored Green River's prowess at barrel proof, offering a fascinating dive into the variance among barrels distilled on the same day (6/2/18), despite many of us being new to Green River's single barrel offerings.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose - bold traditional bourbon with honey and praline
• Palate - vanilla, orange zest, toffee, gingerbread, white pepper, cayenne, black walnut
• Finish - medium long develops sweet and spicy with burnt sugar, buttercream, pepper

119 Proof

Nose - bold traditional bourbon with honey and praline

Palate - vanilla, orange zest, toffee, gingerbread, white pepper, cayenne, black walnut

Finish - medium long develops sweet and spicy with burnt sugar, buttercream, pepper

The robust and versatile flavor profile of the Green River Single Barrel makes it an excellent companion to a wide range of dishes. Pair it with grilled meats to complement the bourbon's spicy undertones or with rich, dark chocolate desserts to enhance its deep vanilla and honey notes. Its full-bodied character also pairs well with bold, aged cheeses, offering a sublime tasting experience.