In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we break down bourbon hype using Weller Special Reserve, Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 7 Year, and Very Old Barton 86 Proof. Three bottles, three different reasons for hype — and none of them tell you exactly what’s inside.

Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Bourbon is a sourced MGP bourbon finished in toasted barrels and bottled at 100 proof. In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we break down the mash bill, finishing process, flavor profile, and whether this double oaked bourbon can compete with Woodford Double Oaked or Old Forester 1910.

The bourbon world has been debating one question ever since Brown-Forman sold Early Times to Sazerac: did the new Early Times Bottled in Bond change? In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we compare the original Brown-Forman Early Times BiB to the newer Sazerac-produced version in a side-by-side bourbon tasting to see which one deserves a place on your shelf.

In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, B and Heather line up four barrel proof bourbons that you can actually find on the shelf. From Larceny Barrel Proof to Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof, we dive into a full bourbon tasting to see which cask strength bourbon delivers the best flavor, balance, and value.

Blind bourbon review of Maker’s 101 vs Wild Turkey 101. A full 101 proof bourbon tasting comparison of wheated vs high-rye Kentucky bourbon.

Does a $25 cask strength bourbon compete with a $150 bottle? We lined up Benchmark Full Proof, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A125, and Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof 2024 to find out where the value really lives in barrel proof bourbon.

Is sweet mash bourbon just marketing hype — or does it actually change the flavor? We review Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, break down sweet mash vs sour mash, and decide whether this under-$50 grain-to-glass bourbon hunts… or heads to clearance.

Green River Bourbon is back — and we’re putting both the Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Wheated Bourbon through a full Tortured Bourbon tasting and ranking. At $35, is this historic Kentucky bourbon the best value on the shelf?

Maker’s Mark Private Selection “Southern Charm” takes classic wheated bourbon and pushes it into deeper wood territory with a bold stave finishing profile. We break down how each French and American oak stave impacts flavor — and whether this single barrel earns a second pour.

We review Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon, Small Batch, and Uncut the Younger in a full side-by-side bourbon tasting. This detailed bourbon review breaks down proof, mash bill, flavor profile, and which Smoke Wagon bourbon wins the Vegas Trifecta. Honest bourbon tasting notes, rankings, and second-pour verdicts from Tortured Bourbon.

Blanton’s Gold Edition is one of the most talked-about bourbons in the world, but few people actually get to taste it. In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we pour, sip, and break down Blanton’s Gold bourbon in a real bourbon tasting — exploring flavor, proof, balance, and whether this Buffalo Trace bourbon lives up to its legendary reputation.

A bold, unscripted review of a Knob Creek Cask Strength Single Barrel selected as an Eli Manning private pick. High proof, heavy oak, and classic Knob Creek DNA—this bourbon delivers power without gimmicks. Is this celebrity bourbon done right? We pour it, taste it, and tell it straight.

What happens when you listen to The Beatles the same way you drink bourbon? In this special episode of Tortured Bourbon, we pair each era of the band’s evolution with a whiskey that mirrors its mood, intention, and character — from the raw beginnings of Love Me Do to the restraint and resolution of Abbey Road. This isn’t a ranking or a tasting competition. It’s a shared listening experience, one pour at a time.

Is this the best Jack Daniel’s ever released? We dive into Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Toasted Bourbon Whiskey, breaking down the toasted barrel process, proof, mash bill, and what sets this limited single barrel apart from standard Jack Daniel’s bourbon.

A deep dive into Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon — Texas’ iconic wheated bourbon aged under brutal heat. Tasting notes, bottle details, and honest opinions from Tortured Bourbon.

Texas bourbon time. We’re sipping Yellow Rose Harris County—Houston whiskey with brown sugar, cherry smoke, toasted pecan, and cinnamon-candy finish. Katie brings the official notes. B brings the problems.

An honest Old Bardstown bourbon review from Willett Distillery. We taste the 90 proof, Bottled in Bond, and Estate 101 side by side—and ask whether tradition is enough in today’s bourbon world.

In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we go deep into one of the most talked-about releases of the year — Four Roses 2025 Limited Edition Small Batch Barrel Strength — and put it head-to-head with a Four Roses OBSK Barrel Strength North Carolina store pick. We break down Four Roses’ unique 10-recipe system, explain why mash bills and yeast strains matter, and explore how age, proof, and intentional blending shape flavor. From dessert-leaning fruit notes to bold rye spice and mature oak, this is a true barrel-strength showdown that asks the real question: does the Limited Edition live up to the hype?

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 is a bold, multi-state blend that proves chaos can be delicious. At 110.3 proof, this celebratory release delivers bright fruit, deep baking spice, and a long, thoughtful finish. New year. Same bad decisions.

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection No. 21: Sweet Oak is one of the most talked-about allocated bourbon releases of 2025 — and for good reason. Finished in Chinkapin oak barrels, this 110.4-proof limited edition pushes Woodford far beyond its traditional flavor profile. In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B break down the barrel experiment, taste it live, debate the $180 price tag, and decide whether Sweet Oak is a bold success or an oak-heavy gamble.