Owensboro, Kentucky’s Green River Distilling Company has come to Whiskey Row in Louisville.
The distillery opened the doors this week on a new tasting room at 714 West Main Street. Whiskey Network Magazine was honored to be part of a packed house for the media preview of the venue last week.
The new tasting room is a spectacularly decorated space. It includes a horseshoe shaped bar, a variety of artifacts and artwork telling the 140-year story of the Western Kentucky distillery, a not-so-hidden speakeasy, a stage for live music, and, of course, a well-stocked gift shop where you can engrave your own bottles.
Lofted Spirits CEO Mark Erwin welcomed the crowd and praised members of the Green River and Lofton teams for all the hard work that went into getting the building renovated and ready for the public. Lofted Spirits Master Blender Dan Callaway and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg also spoke.
“This new space captures both the grit of our Owensboro origins and the spirit of play, surprise and community that defines us now,” said Callaway.
Tastings are offered every hour. Visitors don’t needs advance reservations. Tastings include Green River’s Core Flight, Green River Candy Bar pairing, and custom flights.
Green River is part of Lofted Spirits, which also owns Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBC). The new Green River tasting room is located just two doors down (cue the song) from the Bardstown Bourbon Company Louisville Experience. BBC said the Louisville location has hosted 150,000 visitors since opening in Fall 2023.
At the event I asked Erwin if the company purchased both properties at the same time. He said there was no plan to bring Green River to Louisville until the company saw how wildly successful the BBC experience had become.
Next time you’re in downtown Louisville, make it a double and stop in for a visit (and a taste or two) at both Green River and Bardstown Bourbon Company at their Whiskey Row experiences.
“For 140 years, Green River Distilling Co. has built a history of quality, approachability and resilience. The Whiskey Row experience will raise the spirits of enthusiasts and bourbon-newcomers while becoming a welcoming spot for locals to unwind.”
The Green River Distilling Tasting Room on Whiskey Row in Louisville Features:
- A horseshoe-shaped cocktail bar, referencing the brand’s iconography.
- A flexible stage for music and VIP experiences.
- TVs, comfortable seating, and “Shoot the Shoe,” a game of skill using the Green River bottle as a goal.
- The Dept. of Spirit Preservation, a speakeasy style lounge where guests can participate in the “Fill-Your-Spirits” personal decanter experience.
- 4,400 square feet.
(Source: Green River Distilling Co.)
About Green River Distilling Co.
(From the distillery) Green River Distilling Co. is a celebration of classic Kentucky – honoring the past while staying firmly planted in the present. The 10th oldest licensed distillery in Kentucky (DSP-KY-10), Green River is known as "the Whiskey Without Regrets," and enjoys a rich history dating back to 1885. Reintroduced in 2022, Green River Distilling Co. proudly calls Owensboro, Kentucky home and serves as the westernmost outpost of the Kentucky Bourbon TrailTM. Authentic and approachable, Green River offers a growing portfolio of whiskeys crafted from historic mashbills. Blended to create a smooth and welcoming taste profile, Green River Distilling Co. is a true testament to simplicity and quality going hand-in-hand. Green River is part of Lofted Spirits, one of the largest American Whiskey distillers in the U.S. For more information visit GreenRiverWhiskey.com.
