Green River Kentucky Straight Rye

Distillery - Green River

MSRP - $35

Proof - 95

Age - NAS (4 to 6 Years per Distillery)

Mashbill - 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

Tasting Notes

• Nose – The nose is light and refreshing. I am initially hit with wafts of green apple followed by notes of citrus, mint, and oak.

• Palate – The sip is incredibly smooth, with fruit notes leading the way, apple dominating. Katie said that there was smokiness to the sip. Both Katie and I agreed that the only hint of alcohol appeared just before the finish, leaving a gentle warmth in the back of the throat.

• Finish – The finish is short but delivers the classic peppery rye spice, along with notes of leather and oak.

• Overall – A great rye for the price, offering a solid balance of flavors.

Food Pairing - I would pair this with Apple Pie.

Nav’s Personal Thoughts – I decided to start the advent calendar with this bottle because it’s a rye that’s both easy on the wallet and accessible for anyone to enjoy. You could probably find this bottle for under $40 at your local liquor store. I'm a big fan of everything Green River is doing, and when I first tried this rye, I was hooked. It’s a fantastic beginner rye—it has all the classic rye notes you’d expect, like that peppery spice and a touch of herbal complexity, but it’s balanced and approachable with nothing overwhelming. For me, this rye would be the perfect pairing with a homemade apple pie during the holidays—something about that combo just feels right.