Whisky Review: Green River Wheated Full Proof Bourbon

Introduction

We’ve tried just about everything Green River has put out over the past couple of years, and more often than not, we’ve walked away impressed. With Aaron Harris steering the ship and Lofted Spirits continuing to expand its footprint alongside Bardstown Bourbon Company, Green River has quietly built one of the more reliable portfolios in American whiskey.

Now they’re expanding their Full Proof lineup with Green River Wheated Full Proof Bourbon, following the weeded expression’s win for Best Overall Whiskey at the New York Spirits Competition. That’s a bold move, and a high bar to clear.

This batch comes in at 109.3 proof (54.65% ABV), with a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% wheat, and 9% malted barley, aged between five and seven years, and priced at $49.99 MSRP. On paper, that’s a compelling value in today’s bourbon market.

But how does it actually drink?

This review is taken from our episode "One Battle After Another (2025) / Green River Wheated Full Proof Bourbon." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.

Nose

Brad:
On the nose, this has a really potent cherry syrup bomb. There’s a lot of cherry on it. The vanilla is there. There’s a little bit of brown sugar. I feel like I get a woody cinnamon note, maybe even a cedar vibe going on. It’s a really pleasant nose.

The cherry is tipping on the edge of cherry cough syrup for me, so I’m holding off just a little bit. Still, I really like the nose a lot. I’m curious to see where it goes.
7.5/10

Bob:
I’m going to land at a 7/10 here. When I first nosed it, it was syrupy maple, brown sugar, and cherry. But after swirling the glass a bit, I started picking up some notes that were slightly concerning.

It doesn’t smell especially viscous. It leans thinner, more aggressive, more alcohol-forward. Underneath that, there’s a faint grassiness that reminds me of younger whiskey. Even though this is five to seven years old, I’m preparing myself for a little harshness on the palate.
7/10

Taste

Brad:
This reminds me of one of those cheap gas station cherry pies: sugary, delicious, immediately clogging your arteries. The vanilla is strong. The graininess Bob mentioned comes through like unflavored cream of wheat, a hot cereal kind of creaminess.

It’s pleasurable and interesting, but it doesn’t have a lot of richness or depth around it.
7.5/10

Bob:
I’m surprised how herbal and bitter this stays across the mid-palate. It spreads out toward the edges of my tongue with a fairly bitter note. After a couple sips, there is some fattiness that develops, but overall it’s thinner and more aggressive than I’d prefer.

It’s darker cherry and more bitter herbal than the sweeter weeded bourbons it’s competing against. It’s well made, but I’m at a 7/10 again here.

Finish

Brad:
This is where I drop to a 7/10. The finish is weirdly short for a 109 proof bourbon. I expected more staying power. The wheat grain really comes through. The cherry sticks around for a bit, but it just doesn’t quite push over the line.

Bob:
This is where the barrel char and toasted oak become prominent. There’s that bitter oak note you get on toasted finishes. If you like tannic, unsweet black tea character in your bourbon, this will be right up your alley.

But it doesn’t scream “weeded bourbon” to me. Aside from the dark cherry note, I might have guessed high rye. It lacks the softness and sweetness we typically associate with wheat. 7/10

Balance

Brad:
Despite being a little let down, I do think this is well balanced. The flavor profile is consistent. There are no surprises.
7.5/10

Bob:
Same. It’s a three-out-of-four-star whiskey. Everything is in its place, even if it doesn’t quite soar.
7.5/10

Value

Bob:
This is where it gets interesting. Fifty dollars for a full proof bourbon is very much in line with the market, maybe even a little better than the market. I don’t like this as much as Green River’s regular Full Proof, and by a considerable margin, but it is fairly priced.

For me, it’s worthwhile, just not something I’d personally reach for over other options at the same price.
7.5/10

Brad:
I scored almost everything a touch higher than Bob, but I’m actually lower on value. There are other really strong options at this price point that edge it out for me. It’s a good whiskey, but the competition is tough.
6.5/10

Final Scores

Bob: 36/50
Brad: 36/50

Average: 36/50

At 36/50, Green River Wheated Full Proof Bourbon clears our typical 35-point soft-recommend threshold. It’s solid. It’s well made. It’s fairly priced. It’s just not a home run.

If you’re choosing between this and Green River’s regular Full Proof bourbon, take the regular Full Proof all day. That bottle remains one of the best values in bourbon right now.

If you love weeded bourbons and are curious about a darker, more tannic take on the style, this one is worth trying, especially if you can find a pour at a bar before committing to the full bottle.

But in a lineup crowded with strong $50 bourbons, this one lands comfortably in the “good, not great” tier.

And sometimes, that’s perfectly fine.