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.

Two seven-year Bottled-in-Bond bourbons. Same proof. Same distillery. Very different personalities. Old Fitzgerald 7 faces off against Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond in a wheated vs rye showdown you can actually taste.

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.

The Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series – North Carolina Edition is more than a limited bourbon release — it’s a tribute to the Old North State crafted by NC State alum Dr. Blake Layfield. In this episode, Tortured Bourbon dives into the story, tasting notes, and custom staves behind one of the most meaningful bottles we’ve ever opened.

A deep-dive into the world of double-oaked bourbon as Heather, B, and special guest Mike break down four bottles that redefine sweetness, spice, and toasted-oak intensity — Woodford Double Double Oak, Angel’s Envy Triple Oak, Old Forester 117, and Whiskey War Double Oaked.

A deep-dive into one of the most sought-after indie bottler releases of the year: The Reveries 16-Year Single Barrel “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by T8KE. We break down the bottle, the bourbon lore, the BuffTurkey origins, the tasting notes, and whether this $325 cask-strength monster is worth chasing.

Puncher’s Chance is the bourbon built for fighters — a 90-proof Kentucky straight bourbon blended from 5- and 6-year barrels with big vanilla, caramel, and rye-spice character. We tasted it with our guest Aaron to see if this underdog delivers a real uppercut. Here’s our full Tortured Bourbon breakdown.

A pour with purpose. This Veterans Day, Heather, B, and Aaron honor the Green Berets who became bourbon makers with Horse Soldier Small Batch Bourbon — a 95-proof wheated masterpiece forged from courage, brotherhood, and American craftsmanship. From battlefield to barrel, this bottle carries a story worth sipping.

Heather and B take flight with one of the most hunted bottles in bourbon — Eagle Rare. But is the standard 10-year Buffalo Trace classic still king, or do single barrel picks from NC ABC and Hoppy Endings soar even higher? We taste, argue, and rate all three in the ultimate Eagle Rare bourbon face-off.

Heather and B go completely unscripted as they crack open Oaklore Distilling’s Storyteller Series: Bloody Butcher Corn Bourbon. From heirloom red dent corn to North Carolina craft distilling, this pour blends Southern storytelling with serious bourbon flavor.

Heather and B honor the red, white, and bourbon with Old Zach Bourbon Whiskey — an 11-year, 120-proof single barrel bourbon from Cox’s Creek Distilling Company in Kentucky. From the patriotic packaging to the deep oak flavor, this barrel-strength bourbon reminds us why America and bourbon belong together.

Heather and B head south to Atlanta, Georgia, to explore the ASW Fiddler Line — a bourbon series that blends Georgia soul with MGP precision. From the toffee-sweet Fiddler Wheated to the barrel-proof punch of the Toasted Cask Strength and the Encore Seelbach’s Pick, this episode is a jam session of caramel, spice, and toasted oak.

Heather and B take on Ass Pocket Whiskey – The Search Release, a 10-year, 107-proof small batch bourbon from Derek Trucks. Blues meets bourbon in this soulful whiskey review from Tortured Bourbon—crafted for drinkers who chase the story, not the hype.

Heather and B take their taste buds on vacation with Penelope’s Cooper Series—Rio, Havana, and Valencia. From honeyed oak to rum-soaked maple to citrus-bright Spanish wine barrels, it’s a bourbon world tour that proves Kentucky whiskey has no borders.

This week on Tortured Bourbon, our friend Mike shows up with a Mystery Bourbon—and Heather and B have to figure out what it is without the label. Is it an allocated unicorn or a budget sleeper? Tune in to see how we fared in this blind tasting challenge.

Few bottles in the bourbon world stir up as much excitement as Old Fitzgerald 10 Year Bottled-in-Bond. This allocated bourbon from Heaven Hill’s decanter series carries a decade of aging, a 100-proof Bottled-in-Bond designation, and a reputation that makes collectors line up whenever it appears. In this week’s Tortured Bourbon episode, we dive into the history of Old Fitzgerald, explore what makes this release so special, and share our full bourbon tasting experience — from butterscotch and toasted oak on the nose to caramel, spice, and oak char on the palate. Whether you’re a bourbon collector or just curious about rare allocated bourbon, this is a pour worth talking about.

It’s Quick Shot Monday, and we’re diving into the Penelope Estate Collection Private Select Bourbon — a nine-year, 106.8 proof gem that delivers caramel, cinnamon, red fruits, and a sweet-spice finish for under $100. Is this the best Penelope release yet?

Dive into our Pour Decisions Wednesday review of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 383 bourbon. We explore Nancy Fraley’s legendary blending, unique Armagnac cask finishing, tasting notes, MSRP, and why this rare bourbon is perfect for cigar lovers.

Four Roses has one of bourbon’s most dramatic comeback stories. Once America’s top-selling whiskey, then reduced to bottom-shelf swill, and finally resurrected by Master Distiller Jim Rutledge—this is bourbon history in a glass. Join Tortured Bourbon as we taste and review a Four Roses Single Barrel OBSV from Warehouse NS, Barrel 45-2N.