FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Green River was founded in 1885, making it the 10th oldest registered distillery in Kentucky. Known as “The Whiskey Without Regrets,” it shaped Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey history and remains a respected bourbon whiskey brand.
Yes, Green River products are available nationally in 45 states through partner retailers and select online stores. Bourbon delivery depends on state shipping laws, but many customers can order Green River bourbon whiskey online for home delivery.
Green River Whiskey is a part of Lofted Spirits (who also owns Bardstown Bourbon Company). All of it’s whiskey is produced at Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, KY. The whiskey is both produced and aged onsite in classic tile warehouse that been on the property since 1885. Aaron Harris is the head distiller at Green River.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is an official tourism program featuring premier bourbon distilleries across Kentucky that welcome visitors for tours, tastings, and educational experiences. Green River Distilling Co. is a proud member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and serves as the westernmost outpost. Located in Owensboro, the distillery offers behind-the-scenes tours showing the entire bourbon-making process from grain to barrel, tastings of award-winning expressions, and access to the historic 28-acre distillery campus that has been producing bourbon since 1885. The distillery also has a Louisville tasting room on historic Whiskey Row.
Green River Distilling Co. operates two locations. The main distillery is at 10 Distillery Road in Owensboro, Kentucky, open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Sunday through Tuesday. Note that Owensboro is in the Central Time Zone. The Louisville Tasting Room is located at 714 West Main Street, Downtown Louisville on historic Whiskey Row, with hours varying throughout the week. The distillery shuts down for routine maintenance from December 19 through January 5, though experiences remain bookable during this period with no active distilling.
Reservations are recommended for distillery tours at the Owensboro location, which are offered Wednesday through Saturday at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. Tours cost $22 and include samples of three whiskeys plus a take-home Glencairn glass. However, no reservations are necessary to visit the tasting bar or gift shop at either location. You can walk in to enjoy signature cocktails, sample flights, and browse bourbon bottles, apparel, and barware. For special experiences like cocktail classes or private events, advance booking is required. Check the website or call ahead during peak seasons to secure your preferred tour time.
The distillery tour is a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience lasting approximately 60 minutes. You’ll see the entire bourbon-making process from grain unloading through fermentation, distillation, barrel aging, and dumping. The tour includes tastings of three products pulled directly from hand-selected barrels and a take-home Green River Glencairn glass. Tours require walking up and down four flights of stairs and over uneven ground, so comfortable closed-toe shoes are recommended. Photos are allowed on almost all parts of the tour. The tour provides an authentic look at whiskey production on 28 acres of bourbon history dating back to 1885.
You must be 21 years or older to participate in product tastings at either location. However, guests under 21 are permitted to take the distillery tour at the Owensboro location, though they cannot sample any whiskey products. The Louisville Tasting Room welcomes guests of all ages for the facility experience, with tasting samples restricted to those 21 and older with valid identification. Small children may find the loud noises and high temperatures in the stillhouse challenging during production hours. Green River is a no-smoking campus with no designated smoking areas anywhere on site.
The Owensboro distillery tour involves walking up and down four flights of stairs and traversing uneven ground, which may present challenges for those with mobility limitations. Contact the distillery directly at 270-691-9001 to discuss specific accessibility needs and potential accommodations. Free parking is available on site at the Owensboro campus. The Louisville Tasting Room on Whiskey Row has street parking and nearby parking garages available. Both locations welcome service animals, and the Owensboro location has outdoor areas where guests can take breaks. For specific accessibility questions, reach out before booking your visit to ensure the best experience.
Yes, Green River operates two distinct locations offering different experiences. The Owensboro facility is the working distillery where bourbon is actually produced, featuring production tours, barrel tastings, and the historic 28-acre campus. The Louisville Tasting Room on historic Whiskey Row offers an immersive bourbon experience with vintage nostalgia, handcrafted cocktails, interactive moments, secret surprises, and unique twists you won’t find at traditional distillery experiences. Both locations have retail shops offering exclusive bottles and merchandise. Consider visiting both to experience the full spectrum of what Green River offers, from production authenticity to innovative hospitality.
Green River offers a diverse portfolio of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys. The flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon features a balanced mash bill with traditional flavor profiles. Kentucky Wheated Bourbon showcases wheat as the secondary grain for softer, sweeter notes. Single Barrel Bourbon and Single Barrel Wheated Bourbon offer barrel-strength experiences with unique characteristics from individual barrels. Full Proof Bourbon delivers higher proof intensity. Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey provides a spicier alternative. The Army 250th Anniversary edition celebrates military service. Green River uses simple, timeless recipes with local Kentucky corn and ages products onsite, earning recognition including Best Bourbon in the World at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition.
Single barrel bourbon comes from one individual barrel, meaning each bottle captures that specific barrel’s unique flavor profile. No two single barrels taste exactly alike due to variations in barrel location, wood characteristics, and micro-climate aging conditions. Bottles are typically numbered showing which barrel they came from. Small batch bourbon blends select barrels together to achieve consistent flavor while maintaining quality and character. Green River offers Single Barrel Bourbon and Single Barrel Wheated Bourbon expressions, both bottled at barrel strength ranging from 110 to 130 proof and aged minimum five years, allowing enthusiasts to experience the distinctive characteristics of individual barrels.
Wheated bourbon uses wheat as the secondary grain after corn, creating softer, sweeter, and more mellow flavor profiles with notes of vanilla, caramel, honey, toffee, pastry, and hazelnut. The wheat provides a creamy, round mouthfeel ideal for sipping neat or on the rocks. High-rye bourbon uses rye grain, producing spicier, bolder flavors with black pepper, cinnamon, clove, mint, and herbal characteristics. The rye adds structure and complexity, creating a more assertive drinking experience perfect for cocktails. Green River produces both styles, allowing you to explore different flavor expressions. Wheated bourbons appeal to those preferring smoothness, while high-rye attracts spice enthusiasts.
Barrel strength bourbon, also called cask strength, is bottled directly from the barrel at its natural aging proof without diluting with water. This results in higher alcohol content, typically ranging from 110 to 130 proof or higher, delivering more intense flavors, aromas, and complexity. The higher proof allows you to taste bourbon as the distiller intended straight from the barrel, and you can add water to customize your preferred strength. Green River’s Single Barrel Wheated Bourbon is offered at barrel strength, showcasing the full character developed during aging with ripe apricot, tangerine, oak, cinnamon, and vanilla creme at variable proof levels.
Green River bourbon is available in 45 states across the United States through authorized retailers, liquor stores, and bars. Use the Store Locator tool on greenriverwhiskey.com to find nearby locations carrying Green River products. You can purchase bottles directly from the distillery gift shop in Owensboro and at Bardstown Bourbon Co. retail locations in Bardstown and Louisville, including exclusive distillery-only releases and limited single barrel selections. Online purchasing may be available through authorized spirits retailers that ship to your state, though shipping regulations vary by location. Kentucky law allows visitors to purchase up to 9 liters per day at distillery gift shops.
Green River has earned recognition from prestigious international spirits competitions. Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon was named Best Bourbon in the World at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition. Green River Wheated was awarded Best in Class at the same competition. Additional accolades include Platinum and Gold medals from the 2025 Los Angeles Spirits Awards, Gold from the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Gold from the 2025 ASCOT Awards. These awards validate Green River’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation while honoring the distillery’s 140-year heritage as the 10th oldest licensed distillery in Kentucky.
Specific cancellation policies should be reviewed at the time of booking your tour. Generally, we recommend contacting the distillery as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule your reservation. Tour spots are limited and book in advance, particularly during peak seasons, so early notification allows other bourbon enthusiasts to enjoy the experience. When booking special experiences like cocktail classes or private events, ask about specific cancellation terms and any applicable fees to understand your options if plans change unexpectedly.
Refund policies for tours and experiences vary depending on how far in advance you cancel and the specific experience booked. Contact Green River directly as soon as you know you cannot attend your scheduled tour to discuss refund or rescheduling options. No-show policies typically result in forfeiture of the tour fee since limited spots could have been offered to other guests. We recommend purchasing tours well in advance and confirming all participants can attend before booking. For weather-related closures or unexpected distillery shutdowns, Green River will work with guests to reschedule or provide appropriate accommodation.
Shipping regulations for alcohol vary significantly by state and unfortunately present challenges for direct distillery shipping. Check with the gift shop staff about current shipping options and restrictions for your specific state, as some states permit alcohol shipments while others prohibit them entirely. Kentucky law allows visitors to purchase up to 9 liters per customer per day at distillery gift shops. Many visitors prefer to carry bottles home personally or arrange shipping through authorized third-party retailers. Green River products are distributed to 45 states, so you may find bottles at retailers in your home state or through online spirits retailers authorized to ship to your location.
Bourbon, whiskey, and all alcoholic products cannot be returned or exchanged once purchased due to federal and state regulations governing alcohol sales. This applies to all sealed and unsealed bottles. Non-alcohol merchandise like apparel, glassware, barware, and gift items may be eligible for exchange or return within a reasonable timeframe if kept in new, unworn condition with original tags and receipt. Speak with gift shop staff at the time of purchase if you have questions about specific items. We recommend carefully reviewing your selections before completing your purchase at either the Owensboro or Louisville locations to ensure complete satisfaction.
Private event deposits and group booking policies should be discussed directly with the events team when initially planning your function. Deposit terms typically depend on how far in advance you provide cancellation notice and the specific event package booked. The distillery offers customizable private event spaces for receptions, corporate functions, and special occasions with tailored menus and bourbon experiences. Contact the distillery at 270-691-9001 or email through the website to discuss private event options, pricing, deposit requirements, and cancellation policies before confirming your booking. Early communication about potential schedule changes allows the events team to work with you on solutions.
Green River offers several tasting options for bourbon enthusiasts. Standard distillery tours include tastings of three whiskeys pulled directly from hand-selected barrels plus a take-home Glencairn glass. Walk-in guests at the tasting bar can enjoy signature cocktails or Green River flights without reservations. The Louisville Tasting Room provides handcrafted cocktails, neat pours, and educational experiences with interactive moments and surprises in a playful, curious atmosphere. Both locations offer opportunities to sample award-winning expressions including Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, and limited releases. Tasting experiences showcase the range of flavors achievable through different mash bills and aging techniques.
Yes, Green River offers hands-on cocktail classes where you learn to craft two specialty bourbon cocktails. This experience can be enjoyed independently or added to a distillery tour. You’ll discover the spirits, tools, and techniques needed to recreate delicious bourbon drinks at home with confidence. Each guest receives a Green River branded rocks glass to remember their experience. The classes are perfect for bourbon enthusiasts wanting to elevate their home bartending skills or groups seeking interactive entertainment. These sessions focus on straightforward, classic bourbon cocktails that highlight the whiskey’s character. Contact the distillery to check availability and book your cocktail crafting experience.
Yes, Green River welcomes private events, corporate functions, receptions, and special occasions at the historic Owensboro distillery. The facility offers elegant private event spaces on 28 acres of bourbon history with customizable menus and tailored experiences. Private tours can be arranged for groups wanting exclusive access with dedicated guides. The combination of bourbon tastings, behind-the-scenes production access, and beautiful grounds creates memorable events for clients, teams, or celebrations. Contact the distillery at 270-691-9001 or through the website to discuss group sizes, available dates, pricing, and specific requirements. The events team will work with you to create the perfect bourbon-focused experience for your group.
Green River welcomes visitors year-round, with each season offering unique experiences. Spring and fall provide comfortable temperatures for touring the outdoor portions of the 28-acre campus and enjoying the beautiful grounds. Summer allows you to experience the intense heat of the stillhouse during production and understand how Kentucky’s climate affects bourbon aging. Winter offers a quieter, more intimate experience with smaller crowds. Note that the distillery will be closed for routine maintenance from December 19 through January 5, though tours and tastings remain available without active production.
The Owensboro distillery location does not have a full-service restaurant on site. However, the tasting bar serves bourbon and cocktails, and the gift shop offers some bourbon-related snacks and chocolates. Owensboro features numerous excellent restaurants nearby where you can enjoy Kentucky cuisine before or after your distillery visit. The Louisville Tasting Room on Whiskey Row offers handcrafted cocktails and is surrounded by Louisville’s vibrant dining scene with many acclaimed restaurants within walking distance. Consider planning your visit to include lunch or dinner at local establishments to complete your bourbon country experience. The distillery staff can provide dining recommendations for both Owensboro and Louisville.
Sign up for the Green River newsletter on greenriverwhiskey.com to receive early notifications about product launches, limited releases, exclusive promotions, and special events. Follow Green River on social media for real-time updates, behind-the-scenes content, and announcements about new expressions joining the portfolio. The website’s news section features articles about awards, new products, cocktail recipes, and distillery happenings. Limited releases like single barrel selections often sell quickly, so newsletter subscribers get advance notice. The Army 250th Anniversary program and other special offerings are announced through these channels. Staying connected ensures you don’t miss opportunities to experience Green River’s latest innovations and exclusive bottles.
