Green River Distilling Company is one of the most historical landmarks on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The long-standing distillery opened its doors in 1885 and has gone through a fire, prohibition, multiple owners, abandonment and a long period of dormancy before being revitalized in 2014.
Green River holds the title of DSP-KY-10, meaning it is literally the 10th-oldest registered distillery in the entire state of Kentucky.
The original distillery in 1885 was founded by John McCulloch, who earned a worldwide reputation for his whiskey, and it quickly became known as one of the best in Kentucky.
During the early 1900s, McCulloch’s whiskey became a largely awarded drink at the Paris Exposition, the Exposition Universelle de Liege, and the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition among several other competitions.
Master Distiller Jacob Call, the Master Distiller at Green River, said that in its original time it was heralded as the most exclusive whiskey ever sold — as 20 barrels were sold for a share of a gold mine.
“It was one of the most heavily advertised brands before prohibition, so all sorts of little marketing items are on display at the facility as well,” Call said.
After two years of renovation and modernization the distillery was back up and running, producing more than 90,000 barrels of bourbon and rye a year.
Still, it wasn’t until 2020 that the history of the distillery came full circle, when it returned to its original name and the Green River flag was proudly flown on campus once again. Much like the original Green River, bourbon produced at the distillery today has already been receiving positive reviews and international acclaim.
