Green River Bourbon Review: Kentucky Straight vs Wheated Bourbon Tasting & Ranking
Green River Bourbon
🥃 Green River Bourbon Review
Kentucky Straight vs Wheated Bourbon | Full Bourbon Tasting & Ranking
In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we dive into a full bourbon review and bourbon tasting of two expressions from Green River Distilling Co.:
• Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Green River Wheated Bourbon
If you’re hunting for affordable Kentucky bourbon, curious about Green River bourbon history, or wondering whether this $35 bottle deserves a spot in your rotation — this is the bourbon review you’re looking for.
👉 Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/xh9_PPeQJzg
🏛 A Little Green River Bourbon History
Green River bourbon dates back to the 1800s and was once one of the most widely advertised whiskeys in the world. The brand was famously known as:
“The Whiskey Without A Headache.”
For 18 years, Green River served as the official whiskey of the U.S. Marine Hospital. After Prohibition ended and medicinal claims were no longer permitted, the slogan shifted to:
“The Whiskey Without Regrets.”
That kind of heritage matters. This isn’t just another label entering the crowded bourbon shelf — this is revived Kentucky straight bourbon history.
Today, Green River Distilling Co. blends traditional bourbon-making techniques with modern technology, sourcing Kentucky grains and producing true Kentucky straight bourbon at approachable pricing.
🥃 Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon
📊 Bottle Stats
• 75% Corn
• 21% Rye
• 4% Malted Barley
• 90 Proof
• MSRP: ~$35
For a 90 proof Kentucky straight bourbon at $35, expectations are high in today’s bourbon market.
👃 Nose
Vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, baking spice
👅 Palate
Rich vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, warm apple pie, dark chocolate
🔥 Finish
Long, smooth, lingering sweetness with a touch of pepper
This bourbon tasting revealed balance — a classic Kentucky straight bourbon profile with enough rye spice to keep things interesting, but approachable enough for daily sipping.
🥃 Green River Wheated Bourbon
Next up, we tasted the Green River Wheated Bourbon — and this is where things got interesting.
📊 Bottle Stats
• 70% Corn
• 21% Wheat
• 9% Malted Barley
• 90 Proof
• MSRP: ~$35
Wheated bourbon swaps rye for wheat, creating a softer, sweeter bourbon experience.
👃 Nose
Sweet vanilla, caramel, honey, butterscotch
👅 Palate
Creamy vanilla, soft wheat, caramel, light spice, dried fruits
🔥 Finish
Long, mellow sweetness with gentle oak
If you enjoy wheated bourbon for its smooth mouthfeel and rounded sweetness, this expression absolutely delivers.
🏆 Tortured Bourbon Rating
As always, we rank our bourbon reviews using the official Tortured Bourbon rating system:
• Cock of the Walk
• Hush Your Mouth
• That Dog Will Hunt
• Bless Your Heart
• Piddlin’
To see where both Green River bourbons land, you’ll need to watch the full bourbon tasting episode above.
💰 Is Green River the Best $35 Bourbon?
That’s the real question.
In a market flooded with allocated bourbon, rising prices, and hype bottles, finding a reliable $35 Kentucky straight bourbon matters. Both expressions offer:
✔ Solid mash bill structure
✔ Balanced flavor profile
✔ Historic brand credibility
✔ Accessible pricing
✔ Widely available shelf presence
For new bourbon drinkers, this is a great entry point. For seasoned bourbon hunters, this may surprise you as a dependable daily drinker.
🥃 Final Thoughts
Green River Bourbon proves that you don’t have to spend $70–$100 to enjoy quality Kentucky straight bourbon. Between the traditional rye-based bourbon and the softer wheated bourbon, there’s something here for almost every palate.
We drink bourbon.
We talk smack.
And sometimes we find real value.
Cheers y’all.
