Green River Distilling Co. Introduces Honey Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 

Green River Distilling Co. Introduces Honey Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

Made with 100% Honey and No Artificial Sweeteners or Additives 

Owensboro, Ky. (May 12, 2026) — Green River Distilling Co., known for classic, approachable Kentucky bourbon, expands its award-winning portfolio this month with the launch of Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey. The new expression offers a fundamentally different take on honey whiskey by finishing real Kentucky Straight Bourbon with 100% real local honey inside the barrel, rather than relying on additives and sweeteners. 

While the honey whiskey category has largely moved toward lower proof, heavily sweetened liqueur blends, Green River Honey takes a simple, honest, and more deliberate approach.  

Green River Honey begins as four-year-old Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon, distilled and aged in Owensboro, Kentucky. A custom blend of locally sourced, seasonally selected honey is then added directly into the barrel, allowing the bourbon and honey to marry naturally through barrel interaction rather than post-production blending. Time does the rest. 

The result is a honey-finished bourbon with genuine depth and structure found in cask finishing. Bottled at 92 proof (46 percent alc. by vol.), it retains the warmth, texture and backbone of Kentucky bourbon while introducing floral aromas are surrounded by honey, caramel, orange peel, toasted oak, and vanilla, coating the palate with full-bodied flavor, and finishing with light cinnamon spice. 

The expression delivers a bold bourbon balanced with honey’s natural sweetness with no artificial sweeteners or flavoring additives.  

“For too long, honey whiskey has been defined by shortcuts,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Lofted Spirits. “Natural flavors’ aren’t always as natural as they claim to be.  Green River Honey is changing that – putting our money into real, natural honey and Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Its flavor and approachability opens the Green River brand up to higher energy occasions, plays well in a cocktail, and bridges a huge gap in the category between higher priced honey-cask finishes and cheaper immature flavors.” 

The proprietary honey blend used in Green River Honey is procured in partnership with Above the Dirt Garden and Honey Shop, a Kentucky ProudTM, beekeeper-owned business that works year-round with a network of family-owned apiaries. This partnership ensures a blend of 100% raw, pure, unfiltered honey, sustainably sourced from family-owned apiaries across the Midwest and South.  

Designed to be both premium in process and accessible in price, Green River Honey comes in Green River’s signature 750mL bottle with a suggested retail price of $24.99. Additionally available as a 200mL, Green River Honey will be available nationwide beginning May 15, 2026. 

Anchored in tradition, Green River Honey executes a classic pairing through a modern lens, delivering a whiskey that appeals equally to enthusiasts and bartenders. For bourbon enthusiasts, Green River Honey is a flavorful, satisfying sipper, offering classic Kentucky bourbon character balanced by authentic honey sweetness. For bartenders, it’s a versatile cocktail foundation, bringing proof, texture, and built-in balance that reduces the need for added sweeteners. 

“Green River Honey goes to work behind the bar,” said Caryn Wells, National Brand Ambassador. “One of the few commercially available higher proof honey finished bourbons available, the high proof and real honey finish give cocktails structure without overpowering them. It makes a perfect Gold Rush with just lemon and a shake, and it elevates any whiskey cocktail where balance matters.” 

DeliverBEE will spread the BUZZ 

Fans of Green River can spread the buzz to an unsuspecting friend, coworker or "fri-enemy" by submitting them for a special DeliverBEE. Nominations are now open to surprise someone with Green River Honey, delivered to their door, desk, or wherever they least expect it. To nominate a deserving Queen (or King) bee, visit greenriverwhiskey.com/honey-whiskey/. 

Green River Distilling Co. has earned a reputation for producing quality-driven, value-forward Kentucky whiskey. The brand’s Wheated Bourbon was named Best Overall Bourbon in 2025 by the New York World Spirits Competition, and earlier this year Green River expanded that success with the release of Wheated Full Proof, taking the award-winning recipe to the next level. 

The uniqueness of this new release has also allowed for some incredibly tasty and unique drink recipes featuring Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey!

Green River Hot Honey Shot

• 1 ounce Green River Honey
• 1/2 ounce Ancho Verde
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup
• Garnish:  jalapeño slice

Add all liquid ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until chilled.  Strain into a shotglass and garnish with a jalapeñ slice.

Green River Honey Gold Rush

• 2 ounces Green River Honey
• 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Garnish:  lemon wheel

Add Green River honey, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.  Shake vigorously until well chilled.  Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass and garnish with a lemon wheel.

Green Hornet Shot

This is a new and more wild version of a Green Tea Shot!  You get the perfect kick with this drink.

Drink Recipe

• 1.25 ounces Green River Honey
• .25 ounces Green Tea Syrup
• .25 ounces fresh lemon juice
• Bar spoon (≈1/8 ounce) passionfruit

Green Tea Syrup Recipe

• 1 tea bag per 100mL of water
• Boil water, steep 5-7 minutes
• Remove tea bags
• Add equal parts sugar (be weight)
• Stir until desolved

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake well until well-chilled.  Strain into a shot glass.

Honey River Espresso Martini

This Miel-Inspired Espresso Martini will quickly become a new favorite!

• 2 ounces Green River Honey
• 1 ounce espresso
• 1/2 ounce vanilla liqueur
• 1/2 ounce cinnamon demerara syrup
• Garnish:  Miel Cold Foam, Honey Tuile

Miel Cold Foam Recipe

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 ounce honey
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Whisk cold foam ingredients until doubled in volume and smooth (about 3 minutes).  Pour drink ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until well blended.  Strain into a martini glass and garnish with Miel Cold Fom and Honey Tuile.

Honey Nut Cheers

• 2 ounces Green River Honey
• 3/4 ounce Fino Sherry
• 1/2 ounce Licor 43
• 3 dashes Black Walnut Bitters

Stir all ingredients over ice utnil well-chilled.  Strain into a chilled coupe glass.  Express lemon over the surface of the drink.

Buzzword Shot

This drink takes a little more effort, but the reward is... BUZZworthy!

• 1 ounce Green River Honey
• 1/4 ounce Peach Schnapps
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce prickly pear syrup
• Sichuan Sugar Mixture (for glass rim)

Buzzy Sichuan Sugar Rim

• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• Freshly ground Sichuan peppercorn

Mix sugar and peppercorn together to taste.

Use a small amount of honey to coat the rim of the glass.  Dip glass in the Sichuan sugar mixture.  Add all cocktail ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.  Strain into your prepared glass.

While we have not personally tried all of these recipes yet, we can confirm that the Green River Hot Honey Shot and the Green River Honey Gold Rush are both very delicious.  When we received information about this new release from Green River, it went something like this:  

92 proof, $25, 0% bullshit.   We could not agree more!