After years of chasing, rumors, and bourbon mythology, Tortured Bourbon finally tasted Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year — and put it head-to-head with Weller 12 and the legendary Poor Man’s Pappy blend. Is the hype real? We poured, compared, and found out.

Kick off your week with the very first Quick Shot Monday from Tortured Bourbon! In five minutes or less, Heather and B taste Larceny Barrel Proof A125 — Heaven Hill’s bold wheated bourbon release for January 2025. Is this barrel proof powerhouse worth the hype? Read our blog and watch the full video to find out.

We review all three of Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass expressions—Wheated Bourbon, Straight Bourbon, and Rye—in a head-to-head tasting. From mash bill to corn varietal to rickhouse floors, this series showcases true seed-to-spirit transparency. But are they worth the hype (and the $99 price tag)? Let’s find out.

Explore Maker’s Mark’s Wood Finishing Series with our bourbon tasting and review of FAE-02, BRT-01, and BEP. Discover how custom toasted staves transform Maker’s classic wheated bourbon into three unique pours. Perfect for bourbon lovers and Maker’s Mark fans alike!

In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B crack open the 2025 release of Heaven Hill’s Heritage Collection—an elusive 19-Year Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. With a 51% wheat mash bill, 100 proof Bottled-in-Bond label, and nearly two decades of aging in Rickhouse Y, this whiskey delivers a rich, complex profile of caramel, fig, vanilla, and spice. The episode explores its history, rarity, and whether it lives up to the hype. If you’re into whiskey tastings, bourbon history, or just chasing unicorn bottles, this one’s for you.