Chilled Awards Winner of the Week: Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey
Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey takes a straightforward approach to honey whiskey. The brand starts with four-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, adds real locally sourced honey directly to the barrel, and lets the two finish together while keeping the bourbon character front and center.
That approach earned the expression 90 points and Double Gold in the 2026 Chilled Awards. It also received the Chilled Awards Emblem of Excellence in Sustainability, giving this week’s winner an additional distinction beyond its medal and score.
2026 CHILLED AWARDS | Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey
EMBLEM OF EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY
What the Judges Said
The judges praised the whiskey’s clean honey-gold and bright amber appearance, along with a soft, inviting nose showing caramel, vanilla, honey, and a subtle nuttiness without a harsh alcohol note. On entry, the panel found it sweet, smooth, and mild, with honeyed sweetness, rich vanilla, and caramel coating the palate.
The judges also highlighted the way the flavors hold together. Honey and vanilla remain central, while a subtle nutty note adds depth and the base whiskey stays present. The finish was described as long and pleasantly sweet, and the expression scored an impressive 9.9 for Varietal / Style Accuracy.
Emblem of Excellence in Sustainability
Along with its Double Gold medal, Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey earned the 2026 Chilled Awards Emblem of Excellence in Sustainability. The distinction is especially notable in a category where ingredient sourcing can be central to the story of the bottle.
Green River says the honey used in the whiskey comes from Above the Dirt Garden and Honey Shop, a beekeeper-owned, Kentucky Proud business. The honey is raw and unfiltered and sourced from family-run apiaries across the Midwest and South.
What Makes It Noteworthy
Green River describes the expression as honey-finished rather than honey-flavored. Four-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon is finished in barrel with 100% real honey, with no artificial sweeteners or flavoring additives. Bottled at 92 proof, it is designed to preserve the warmth and structure of bourbon while bringing honey, vanilla, toasted oak, and baking spice into the profile.
The whiskey is produced by Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, Kentucky, where the distillery traces its history to 1885. That combination of traditional bourbon production and a more modern honey finish gives the bottle an approachable style without moving too far from its whiskey roots.
Behind the Bar
The Chilled Awards judges gave the expression a 9.8 for Mixability Potential, calling out its versatility. Green River makes the same case, recommending it neat, over ice, or in drinks such as a Gold Rush, Honey Old Fashioned, or Highball.
For bartenders, the built-in honey character can also create an easy starting point for bourbon cocktails that normally rely on a separate sweetener. Its 92-proof structure gives the whiskey enough presence to stay recognizable in the finished drink.
Award Details
2026 Chilled Awards
Final Score: 90 Points
Award: Double Gold
Emblem of Excellence: Sustainability
Varietal / Style Accuracy: 9.9
Mixability Potential / Sipper: 9.8
Visual Clarity and Appearance: 9.6
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