Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Wheel Horse Whiskey entered the market in 2019 as a non-distilling producer devoted to American whiskey. From day one, the label has been candid about sourcing its bourbon and rye from Green River Distilling in Owensboro, Kentucky. For many whiskey fans, Wheel Horse’s 4-year-old, 101-proof releases offered their earliest opportunity to taste Owensboro distillate with meaningful maturity and vigor — before Green River began issuing bottles with comparable age and strength under its own name.
As an Owensboro resident, I had the unusual experience of purchasing a cask strength single barrel Wheel Horse bourbon — distilled only a short drive from my home — before Green River debuted its own 90 proof expression and well before cask strength offerings. To savor my hometown whiskey at full tilt, I had to look to a producer based Rhode Island.
In fall 2025, Wheel Horse finds itself in a similar position, this time with rye. Green River introduced its house-labeled rye at 95 proof in January 2024, and while that bottling earned praise, many enthusiasts hoped for something with more muscle. Under Barrel Master Stephen Corrigan, Wheel Horse answered that call with Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Rye…