Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review

Distillery: Green River Distilling Co.

Proof: 92.0 (46.0% ABV)

Age: Four Years

Mashbill: 70% Corn, 21% Winter Rye, 9% Malted Barley

MSRP: $25

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A Thoughtful Twist on Green River Bourbon

Green River Honey Finished Bourbon may well be a bourbon that enthusiasts understandably approach with skepticism.  Honey-infused or honey-flavored whiskeys often lean heavily into sweetness, sacrificing their bourbon identity in favor of easy drinking appeal.  Green River, however, appears to be attempting something different.

Produced in Owensboro, Kentucky, this expression is built on a familiar mashbill of 70% corn, 21% winter rye, and 9% malted barley before pairing the whiskey with 100% real, locally sourced honey directly in the barrel.  Bottled at 92 proof and carrying a modest $25 price point, the whiskey leans on restraint rather than indulgence.  On paper, the distiller’s intention feels clear:  preserve the recognizable Green River bourbon while introducing a layer of sweetness and texture without drifting into candy-like territory.

That balancing act matters.  The 21% rye mashbill suggests enough spice to keep sweetness in check, while the proof point aims at a whiskey designed to remain accessible and still not lose its backbone.  At four years old, we must wonder whether the honey is intended simply as enhancement in the finishing or whether it is meant to soften some of the sharper edges of a young bourbon.

The larger question is whether Green River Honey Finished Bourbon succeeds in offering enthusiasts something new while also remaining a bourbon first and foremost.  And is it  approachable enough for newer drinkers willing to explore beyond the traditional.  

So, has Green River maintained the quality level enthusiasts have come to expect from its label while also adding a thoughtful twist?  Has this become a surprisingly successful addition to the lineup?  Or is it a novelty offshoot?

Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.0/5

Sweet Corn. Light Honey. Floral Notes. Orchard Fruit. Grain Sweetness.

Strengths:  Rewards patience.  Begins straightaway with corn-forward sweetness then gradually opens to light floral notes and soft fruit with ample time in the glass.  Honey influence is present, but importantly, it is not dominant.  Instead of sitting on top of the bourbon, the honey feels tucked beneath the natural corn sweetness, preserving a recognizable bourbon identity.  Nothing syrupy.

Why It’s Not Higher:  Layered notes but lacks clear definition.  Rather than sharply separated notes, feels blended and somewhat muddled.  Requires patience but never becomes especially precise.  Rye spice remains surprisingly muted given the mashbill.

Rating Justification:  Pleasant.  Evolving.  Invites additional exploration.  Softer note definition keeps it from becoming highly expressive.

Palate – 4.4/5

Werther’s Candy.  Sweet Corn.  Honey Sweetness.  Gentle Rye Spice.  Full Mouthfeel.

Strengths:  Strongest part of the experience.  Dense, coating mouthfeel that feels surprisingly full for 92 proof.  More presence than expected.  Sweetness arrives first and remains dominant.  Rye spice quietly builds beneath without overtaking the pour.  Honey integrates naturally with the corn sweetness rather than feeling artificially layered on top.  Remains recognizably bourbon at its core.  Proof feels spot on.

Why It’s Not Higher:   Holds steady rather than evolving significantly across the Palate.  Sweetness remains largely unchanged from entry throughout.  Flavors feel layered, not integrated.

Rating Justification:  Delivers on the whiskey’s apparent intention:  a bourbon-forward whiskey with an added dimension of sweetness that remains enjoyable, approachable, and surprisingly textured without sacrificing identity.

Finish – 3.5/5

Sweet Corn.  Lingering Spice.  Honeyed Sweetness.  Bitter Tang.  Sour Note.

Strengths:  Initially carries forward the same sweet corn, spice, and honey-driven profile established on the Palate.  Medium length feels appropriate to the proof and age.  Spice remains enough to keep sweetness from becoming overwhelming.

Why It’s Not Higher:  Lingering bitter and slightly sour tang develops and ultimately changes the Finish experience.  Rather than feeling like a natural extension of the whiskey, the aftertaste arrives unexpectedly and feels disconnected from what had otherwise been a pleasant pour.  More frustratingly, this tang becomes the lasting impression long after the sweeter, more balanced notes fade.

Rating Justification:  Begins pleasant enough.  Lingering tang limits an otherwise successful ending for the whiskey’s intended profile.

Value – 4.8/5

At $25, Green River Honey Finished Bourbon delivers significant Value.  Green River could have easily leaned too heavily into sweetness or created a novelty whiskey aimed solely at flavored whiskey drinkers.  Instead, this feels like a legitimate bourbon experience with a well-planned twist.  

Enthusiasts who enjoy Green River’s core bourbon and are willing to experiment will find enough here to justify the purchase.  Newer drinkers may appreciate the added sweetness and manageable proof point. The Finish keeps this from becoming an outright home run, but the overall quality at this price is difficult to ignore.

Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review: The Verdict

This is not a syrupy honey whiskey masquerading as bourbon, nor is it simply Green River bourbon with sweetness poured on top.  Instead, it is bourbon-first while allowing a restrained honey influence to add texture and sweetness without overwhelming the whiskey’s identity.  The dense mouthfeel, pleasant sip, and natural integration between the honey and corn sweetness make this an enjoyable pour that outperforms expectation.

Where this falls short is in the final impression.  Still, for $25, Green River Honey Finished Bourbon proves surprisingly successful as both an experiment for enthusiasts and an approachable on-ramp for newer drinkers.

Verdict – 4.2/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3