The Oldest Green River We’ve Ever Released. Here’s Why It Was Worth the Wait.
Some releases need a lot of explaining. This one doesn’t. Toasted Double Oak is an eight-year-old Green River bourbon finished six more months in new American toasted oak. It’s the oldest Green River we’ve ever released—and the first bottle in our new Distillery Select series. Here’s the full story.
What Is Green River Distillery Select?
Distillery Select is our new series of small, limited releases built around the barrels we can’t stop thinking about: different approaches, unique finishes, and a chance to share the bourbon that keeps ending up in our notes with little stars next to them.
These aren’t limited editions for the sake of driving scarcity. They’re releases that earned their way out of the warehouse.
What Is Toasted Double Oak Bourbon?
Toasted Double Oak starts with Green River’s core bourbon recipe and takes it further than we’ve gone before.
It begins with eight years of aging in our clay tile rickhouses—including time in Warehouse B, where the Kentucky heat does what Kentucky heat does best. Then it spends an additional six months in new American toasted oak barrels, building depth and structure without losing the balance that makes Green River bourbon worth drinking in the first place.\
The result is a double oak finished bourbon with real complexity. The strong fruit flavors of Green River are ideally suited for a double barrel, where the bold flavor pairs perfectly with vanilla and caramel notes while adding a subtle spice. This is distinct from a char-heavy finish, which tends to push toward smoke and bitterness. The toasted finish here is more refined. More patient. Which, as it turns out, is kind of Green River’s whole thing.
Specs & Tasting Notes
Mashbill, Proof & Specs
- Style: Double oak finished Kentucky straight bourbon
- Age: 8 years (plus 6 months in toasted oak)
- Proof: 115.1
- Size: 375ml
- Price: $49.99 MSRP
- Availability: Limited quantities, Green River Owensboro Distillery and Louisville Tasting Room
What to Expect in the Glass
At 115.1 proof, Toasted Double Oak has presence. But it’s not heat for heat’s sake — the eight years of Kentucky aging and the toasted oak finish give it structure and balance that hold up at full proof. Expect brown sugar, toasted marshmallow and ripe red fruit that lead to layers of caramel, vanilla cream, and allspice, finishing with bold barrel character and light spice.
It works beautifully neat or with a single large ice cube. At this proof, it also makes an exceptional Old Fashioned — the toasted oak character gives the cocktail a depth that standard bourbons have trouble reaching.
The Award
Before Toasted Double Oak hit shelves, it took Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most respected spirits competitions in the world. While we’re not ones to make a huge deal out of awards, we’ll take it.
Where & When to Find It
Owensboro Release — Saturday, June 20
Toasted Double Oak makes its debut at the Owensboro Distillery. Gates open at 10a, bottles go on sale at 11a. Live music, food trucks, raffles, and distillery tours round out the day. Limit of one bottle per person.
Louisville Release — Friday, June 26
Louisville gets its turn the following week at our Downtown Louisville Tasting Room. Doors open at 11a. Same bottle, same limit.
No Bullsh!t. Just Good Bourbon.
Green River has been distilling on-site in Owensboro, Kentucky since 1885. Toasted Double Oak is the oldest expression we’ve ever released — and it’s priced at $49.99, because we’re not in the business of overcharging for hype.
Distillery Select will continue with new releases when we find barrels that earn it. We’re not in a hurry. Neither is the bourbon.
