Introduction
At Film & Whiskey, we’re always on the lookout for quality bourbons that deliver exceptional value. Today, we’re diving into Green River 1885 Bourbon, a bottle that caught our attention not just because of its intriguing marketing, but also due to its remarkably low price. This is an 85-proof bourbon with a mash bill of 76% corn, 15% rye, and 9% malted barley, aged for four years. It’s priced at an astonishingly affordable $22 for a full liter, making it one of the most inexpensive bourbons of its size on the market. But does the whiskey inside the bottle live up to the promise of its label? Let’s find out.
This review is taken from our episode "The Best Whiskey at Every Price Point." For an in-depth audio review of this product and many others, click the link to listen.
Nose
Bob kicks off the nosing with some nostalgic notes: “We used to have a black tea, a box of black tea that was like orange spice. It had a bunch of fall spices with just a little bit of orange peel. I get that here.” He continues by noting hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and black pepper, which come through prominently thanks to the rye in the mash bill. Brad adds, “The nose on this 1885 is a little bit slight, but you get all sorts of black pepper, orange peel, and some hints of caramel and vanilla.” While the nose isn’t overwhelmingly strong, both agree there’s a pleasant complexity here. Brad scores the nose 7/10, while Bob echoes this with a 7/10 as well.
Taste
Moving on to the palate, Brad notes, “As I got into the palate, the caramel really came around for me. There’s some flavors of a golden delicious apple. The vanilla comes through, and there’s a little bit of a nutty pecan flavor going on.” He scores the taste 7.5/10. Bob agrees, highlighting the strong apple flavor and how well it fits the profile of a perfect fall whiskey. “This is a perfect fall whiskey. I get apple, orange, and all those baking spices. I can imagine mixing this with apple cider in the fall; it would make a really good spiked apple cider.” However, Bob also notes a slight sourness towards the back end, typical of some toasted bourbons, which tempers his enthusiasm a bit. He lands on 7/10 for the taste.
Finish
As they discuss the finish, Bob mentions that it’s surprisingly good, especially for an 85-proof whiskey. “The finish is great. It kind of keeps rolling back up my palate. I think it’s really creamy on the finish. It drinks spicier than an 85-proof whiskey would, and I think it would hold up really well in a lot of cocktails.” Brad agrees and emphasizes that the finish offers a lot of what you’d expect from higher-proof bourbons. He awards the finish 7/10, with Bob closely following suit, scoring it 6.5/10.
Balance
Balance is where this bourbon really shines, especially considering the price. Brad remarks, “Green River continues to put out spectacular quality whiskey. Of all the distilleries we follow, I feel like they understand their price points better than anyone else.” Bob concurs, noting that the bourbon’s components work well together, even if the nose and taste aren’t as powerful as in higher-proof offerings. He points out that the lower proof might make it ideal for cocktails, as it’s proofed specifically for the bar. Both agree on the balance, each scoring it 7/10.
Value
Value is where Green River 1885 pulls ahead of many competitors. Bob doesn’t mince words: “This is probably one of the best values we’ve had in the last year, two years on the podcast. If we were considering this as a 750ml, we’d be talking about a $15-$16 bottle of whiskey.” Brad fully agrees, stating, “You’re going to pay $30 to $40 for a bottle like this elsewhere, but Green River just cut through all the BS and said, ‘Nope, this is a really solid whiskey at $22 that you can buy in a one-liter bottle to use for your mixed drinks.’” Both give the value a resounding 10/10.
Final Scores
- Nose: 7/10 (Brad), 7/10 (Bob)
- Taste: 7.5/10 (Brad), 7/10 (Bob)
- Finish: 7/10 (Brad), 6.5/10 (Bob)
- Balance: 7/10 (Brad), 7/10 (Bob)
- Value: 10/10 (Brad), 10/10 (Bob)
Final Score: 38/50
Conclusion
Green River 1885 Bourbon proves that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a quality bourbon. With a final score of 38/50, this bourbon is squarely in the range where we’d typically recommend trying a pour at a bar or even buying a bottle outright. For context, a 40/50 is considered great, and a 45/50 is exceptional.
Given its unbeatable price and solid performance across all categories, Green River 1885 is an easy choice for those looking for a dependable, budget-friendly bourbon that also works well in cocktails. If you’re exploring the world of bourbon or just need a versatile whiskey for your home bar, this one should be on your radar. Cheers!
