Green River Distillery with Caryn Wells Show Notes

ReviewsShow NotesGreen River DistilleryKentuckyAmerican WhiskeyRyeBourbon

Dec 10

Hello, World!

In this episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast, I sit down with Caryn Wells, National Brand Ambassador for Green River Distilling. Caryn and I dive into the history of this Owensboro distillery, the long road to its revival, and the surge of energy that’s carried Green River into its modern era. It’s one of the most layered stories in Kentucky bourbon, and Caryn brings every bit of it to life.

When you talk to Caryn, it’s hard to believe this is her third career. After teaching and then firefighter/EMS in Florida, she retired to Owensboro, KY, where she had family. Caryn thought she’d be retired - that didn’t last long.

Caryn walks me through Green River’s origins dating back to 1885, the devastating fire that erased its original mash bills, and how the distillery eventually went silent for decades. We talk about the painstaking work that went into bringing it back online in 2014, reclaiming the Green River name from the McCulloch family, and relaunching the brand in 2022 after pandemic delays and supply-chain hurdles.

We go deep into the production side: the four-story, 54-inch column still, the Vendome doubler, and the limestone-rich water that often gets overlooked in western Kentucky. Caryn also breaks down Green River’s unusual mix of aging warehouses, including the rare clay-tile rickhouses that give so much character to today’s Green River bourbon.

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation is Green River’s role as one of Kentucky’s most transparent contract distillers. Caryn explains why so many partner brands openly name Green River on their labels and how those collaborations helped the distillery grow from four states to forty-five.

We explore the entire Green River lineup: the fruit-forward high-rye bourbon, the soft and welcoming weeded bourbon, and the standout 95/5 rye that tastes nothing like the standard 95/5 profile. Caryn also shares how the Full Proof release went from a modest launch to a runaway success that sold out far faster than expected.

A highlight of the episode is the Glen Caryn Experience, Caryn’s own sensory-driven tasting program built around memory and flavor exploration. She walks me through how she uses aromatics, fruits, spices, and nostalgic candies to help drinkers connect with what's in the glass. It’s both playful and incredibly effective, and you’ll hear why it’s become one of Green River’s most requested experiences.

We also get into Green River’s unexpected but recurring ties to the U.S. military, from its early association with the Marine Hospital Service to the creation of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary bourbon. Caryn brings context, clarity, and plenty of personality to every part of the distillery’s story.

This episode is a deep, richly textured look at a heritage distillery reborn for a new generation. Whether you’re just discovering Green River or already a fan, Caryn’s insight and enthusiasm make this a conversation you won’t want to miss.