🥃 Tortured Bourbon Live – Texas Heat: Garrison Bros & Still Austin Face Off!
🔥 Smoke, spice, and straight Texas fire. 🔥
In this special Tortured Bourbon Live episode, we bring together the boldest bourbons in the Lone Star State and pit them against each other in front of a live crowd—complete with a full Texas BBQ feast.
If you’ve ever wondered how Still Austin stacks up against Garrison Brothers, or what bourbon goes best with brisket, you’re in the right place.
🎥 Watch the Full Episode
🥃 The Texas Bourbon Lineup
We featured four heavy hitters from two of Texas’ most celebrated distilleries:
Still Austin Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 98.4 proof
Still Austin Cask Strength Bourbon – ~118 proof
Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength – 130.5 proof
Garrison Brothers Balmorhea – Double-barreled, rich, bold, unforgettable
These bourbons weren’t just tasted—they were paired, discussed, dissected, and rated in real time. Our guests didn’t hold back. And neither did the brisket.
🍗 The BBQ Pairings
We cooked up a full backyard spread:
20-pound brisket (low and slow)
Smoked chicken thighs
Pork shoulder
Sides by Heather & Katie that stole the show
Each bourbon was matched with a dish, and we explored how Texas whiskey’s bold character stands up to rich, fatty, smoky flavors. Spoiler: it absolutely slaps with brisket.
🔥 Texas Heat & High Proof Whiskey
What makes Texas bourbon so unique? It’s not just the grain-to-glass approach—it’s the heat.
With temperatures swinging dramatically across the seasons, Texas barrels age faster and more aggressively, pulling in deep oak character and amplifying the bold notes of caramel, vanilla, spice, and char. Whether it’s Still Austin’s grain-forward expression or Garrison Brothers’ syrupy barrel bombs, Texas whiskey knows how to bring the heat—literally and figuratively.
🎤 Real Crowd. Real Chaos. Real Bourbon.
This was our first full live audience episode, and we let it rip. 24 guests joined us in a backyard bourbon bash, tasting each whiskey, rating their favorites, and—naturally—arguing about everything.
Highlights included:
Heated debates about Balmorhea vs. Cask Strength
Someone trying to trade a plate of brisket for another pour of Garrison
Katie stealing the show with BBQ pairing wisdom
B getting heckled about his tasting notes (again)
Our audience voting system going completely off the rails
🧠 What You’ll Learn
What “cask strength” really means
The impact of Texas climate on bourbon aging
How Still Austin uses local Texas grain
What makes Garrison Brothers Balmorhea a cult favorite
Tips for pairing high-proof bourbon with BBQ
How to survive drinking 130+ proof whiskey outdoors in July
🏆 And the Winner Was…
We won’t spoil it here—you’ve gotta watch to see which bourbon came out on top. But we can say this: one distillery brought the heat, but the other brought the smoke. 🍖
🎯 Perfect For:
Texas bourbon fans
Garrison Brothers and Still Austin lovers
High-proof bourbon drinkers
Foodies curious about whiskey pairing
Backyard BBQ champions
People who like their bourbon episodes rowdy, real, and a little sweaty
📬 Stay Connected with Tortured Bourbon
Welcome to Tortured Bourbon!
We’re all about exploring the world of bourbon—one sip, one bottle, and one great conversation at a time. From blind tastings to cocktail creations, we dive deep into the spirit we love with humor, insight, and a bit of “tortured” fun.
