In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we delve into the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon innovation by exploring the Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Origin Series. Known for their modern approach and commitment to quality, Bardstown Bourbon Company has introduced a lineup that challenges traditional bourbon norms. But do these expressions signify the future of bourbon, or are they just another trend?

How much heat can you handle? In this fiery edition of Tortured Bourbon, we’re turning up the proof and diving headfirst into the flames with Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon, Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon, and the bold, spicy Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Rye. It’s all part of our Old Forester Friday series—and this week, the heat is real. If you’re searching for an honest, high-proof bourbon review or just want to watch us sweat through a tasting, you’ve come to the right place. At Tortured Bourbon, we don’t just sip—we suffer (for your enjoyment). So in this bourbon tasting showdown, B and Heather battle through three of the hottest Old Forester bourbons ever bottled. From the rich, dark cherry heat of 1920 to the flamethrower intensity of barrel strength bourbon and the green fireball that is barrel strength rye, each pour is evaluated neat and with water or ice to reveal the full character of these Kentucky whiskey monsters. 🥃 What We’re Tasting: • Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon 115 proof. A classic high-proof offering with notes of chocolate, caramel, and spice. Often called the gateway into barrel strength bourbon. Kentucky bourbon done right. • Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon Proof varies (ours was [insert proof here]). Unfiltered, unapologetic bourbon—vanilla, oak, caramel, and intense spice. This is Old Forester’s heavyweight contender in the bourbon world. • Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Rye A bold rye whiskey with proof often above 125. Expect mint, clove, citrus, and black pepper. A rye bourbon lover’s fever dream—and possibly their nightmare. Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon hunter looking for your next barrel proof obsession, or new to high-proof whiskey and wondering if Old Forester 1920 is the right place to start, this video delivers the bourbon tasting insights, laughs, and chaos you’ve come to expect. 🔥 What Makes These Old Foresters Special? Old Forester is one of the few bourbon distilleries that has been continuously operating since before, during, and after Prohibition. These expressions represent their boldest efforts—designed for enthusiasts who love Kentucky bourbon with high heat and full flavor. We walk you through each pour, what aromas and tasting notes you should expect, and how a splash of water or a single ice cube transforms each one. This isn’t your average bourbon review—it’s a bourbon endurance test.

Evan Williams Bourbon has a long and storied place in Kentucky bourbon history. Named after a Welsh immigrant who allegedly began distilling bourbon in 1783, Evan Williams is one of the most recognizable bourbon brands in the world. The Single Barrel Bourbon expression steps it up from the standard black label and bottled-in-bond options. With vintage dating, hand-labeling, and that lovely 86.6 proof, this Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon comes across as the gentleman scholar of the lineup. In this bourbon review, we crack open a 2015 vintage that was bottled in 2023, making it around 8 years old. That’s a solid age for a Kentucky bourbon in this price range, especially considering how hard it’s becoming to find outside of the Bluegrass State. That’s right—Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon has now become primarily a Kentucky-only release. So if you’ve got one sitting on your shelf, you might want to pour it, savor it, and consider whether this bourbon was a brilliant decision—or just another pour decision.

Bourbon & Tequila Collide – 4 Reposado & Añejo Tequilas Aged in Bourbon Barrels! In this Tortured Bourbon Cinco de Mayo special, Heather and Katie throw down the margarita glasses and pick up the Glencairns — because we’re tasting bourbon-barrel-aged tequila. It’s bourbon. It’s tequila. It’s agave with a Kentucky soul. And it’s exactly the chaos you’d expect when B is behind the camera and the ladies are left unsupervised.