Owensboro distillery founded in 1885 being revived

green-river-distilling-co-09-16
green-river-distilling-co-09-16

The Green River Distilling Co. survived fire, Prohibition, multiple owners and decline and is being revived at its original location in Owensboro, the owners said Tuesday.

The distillery was founded in 1885. After finding the property in ruin, it was restored and began producing in 2016 as the O.Z. Tyler Distillery, but it is returning to its original name.

“Green River was known for making some of the finest whiskey in Kentucky,” said Jacob Call, master distiller. “We’re excited to be crafting bourbon and rye under the Green River flag again.”

CEO Simon Burch worked with founder John W. McCulloch’s great-grandson, Rob McCulloch, to rename the distillery.

“I’ve always wanted the distillery’s name back at its original location in Owensboro,” Rob McCulloch said. “It completes the story my great-grandfather started in 1885.”

The company said at Green River’s height, a fire broke out at the distillery, reducing most of the buildings and whiskey barrels to rubble. It was rebuilt, but Prohibition was passed, and the founder didn’t live to restore the distillery. It passed hands several times in the following years.

A limited release of Green River 4 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon will be available in 2021.

The Associated Press