Toasted Double Oak Launches as Green River Distilling’s First Distillery Select Release
Green River Distilling Co. is preparing to introduce a landmark release that highlights both the heritage and future of one of Kentucky’s most historic whiskey producers. The company has announced the debut of Green River Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak Bourbon, the inaugural expression in its newly established Distillery Select series. The limited-edition release represents the oldest bourbon ever bottled by Green River and marks the beginning of a new program designed to showcase some of the distillery’s most exceptional and innovative whiskey offerings.
The highly anticipated bourbon will make its official debut at Green River Distilling Co.’s historic Owensboro, Kentucky, distillery on June 20, followed by a second launch event at the brand’s Louisville Tasting Room on June 26. Whiskey enthusiasts, collectors, and bourbon aficionados will have the opportunity to experience a release that combines traditional Kentucky bourbon-making techniques with a carefully crafted finishing process intended to elevate flavor complexity and depth.
The Distillery Select series has been developed as a platform for presenting unique expressions that highlight the versatility and quality of Green River’s whiskey stocks. Through special barrel selections, varying proof points, distinctive maturation techniques, and innovative finishing methods, the series aims to celebrate craftsmanship while remaining firmly rooted in Kentucky bourbon traditions.
The debut release, Toasted Double Oak Bourbon, exemplifies that philosophy. At eight years old, it is the oldest Green River bourbon released to date and demonstrates the distillery’s growing confidence in showcasing mature whiskey that has benefited from extended aging and careful barrel management.
The journey of Toasted Double Oak Bourbon begins with Green River’s signature bourbon mash bill, composed of 70 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and 9 percent malted barley. This grain recipe has become a cornerstone of the distillery’s bourbon portfolio, producing a balanced spirit characterized by sweetness, spice, and fruit-forward complexity.
After distillation, the bourbon spent eight years aging in Green River’s renowned clay-tile rickhouses. These traditional aging warehouses play a critical role in the development of the whiskey’s flavor profile. Kentucky’s seasonal temperature fluctuations encourage interaction between the spirit and the oak barrels, allowing the bourbon to absorb desirable characteristics from the wood over time.
For this special release, Green River’s whiskey team selected 13 barrels from prime maturation locations within Warehouse B. These barrels were chosen after extensive evaluation to identify those exhibiting exceptional character and concentration. Temperatures within these aging environments regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, accelerating maturation and contributing to the development of robust flavors and rich oak influence.
Once the initial eight-year maturation period was complete, the bourbon underwent an additional finishing stage that distinguishes it from Green River’s standard offerings. The whiskey was transferred into new American oak barrels featuring a light char and medium toast profile. These barrels, supplied by Independent Stave Company, were specifically selected to enhance sweetness and complexity while complementing the bourbon’s existing flavor characteristics.
The bourbon remained in these secondary barrels for an additional six months, allowing the spirit to interact with freshly toasted oak. This finishing process helps bring forward wood-derived sugars while introducing additional layers of spice, vanilla, caramel, and toasted notes. The result is a richer and more concentrated expression that expands upon Green River’s traditional flavor profile while maintaining its recognizable identity.
Bottled at a robust 115.1 proof, Toasted Double Oak Bourbon offers a bold and full-bodied drinking experience. The higher proof preserves the whiskey’s natural intensity while allowing the layered flavors developed during maturation and finishing to shine through.
According to Dan Callaway, Master Blender at Lofted Spirits, the bourbon’s underlying fruit-forward character makes it particularly well-suited to the double-oak treatment.
He noted that Green River’s distinctive fruit flavors pair exceptionally well with the added wood sugars and spice introduced during the finishing process. The extended secondary aging creates a harmonious balance between the bourbon’s natural sweetness, oak richness, and spice complexity, resulting in a whiskey that remains approachable while offering substantial depth.
Callaway also emphasized the quality of the aging stocks available at the historic Owensboro distillery. He described Green River as being home to some of Kentucky’s finest whiskey reserves and expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities presented by the new Distillery Select series.
The program, he explained, provides an opportunity to explore innovative approaches while building upon Green River’s established bourbon and rye mash bills. Through carefully curated releases, the distillery can highlight unique expressions that demonstrate both creativity and respect for tradition.
The quality of Toasted Double Oak Bourbon has already attracted industry recognition prior to its public debut. The expression recently earned a Double Gold Medal and an impressive score of 96 points at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most respected judging events in the global spirits industry. Such recognition underscores the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into creating the release and reinforces Green River’s growing reputation among premium bourbon producers.
The inaugural Distillery Select expression will be packaged in a 375 mL bottle and sold exclusively through Green River Distilling Co.’s Owensboro distillery and the company’s Louisville tasting room. With production intentionally limited, availability is expected to be highly sought after among bourbon enthusiasts and collectors.
Priced at $49.99, the release offers consumers access to a rare and distinctive whiskey that showcases the distillery’s oldest bourbon stocks and specialized finishing techniques.
To commemorate the launch, Green River Distilling Co. will host a daylong celebration at its Owensboro facility. The event will feature special distillery tours, guided tastings, food offerings, live entertainment, and exclusive opportunities for guests to purchase the new release before it becomes available elsewhere.
The introduction of Toasted Double Oak Bourbon signals an exciting new chapter for Green River Distilling Co. By combining mature whiskey, meticulous barrel selection, and innovative finishing methods, the company is creating a platform that highlights both its historic legacy and its future ambitions. As the first release in the Distillery Select series, Toasted Double Oak sets a high standard for future expressions and offers bourbon lovers a compelling glimpse into the exceptional whiskey emerging from one of Kentucky’s most respected distilleries.
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