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.

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.

To celebrate Mexico’s Revolution Day, Tortured Bourbon dives into three Corazón Reposado tequilas finished in legendary Sazerac bourbon barrels—EH Taylor, Eagle Rare, and Weller CYPB. Katie returns to break down the agave, Heather covers the history, and B tries to keep the chaos controlled as we taste, compare, and rank these bourbon-influenced tequilas.

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 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.

An unscripted Buffalo Trace bourbon tasting of EH Taylor Bottled in Bond, Single Barrel, and Barrel Proof. Which allocated bourbon deserves top shelf status?

Makers Mark Private Selection Eclair and Present Danger might be the most dessert-like bourbon we’ve tried. Milk chocolate, vanilla, and a hint of spice make this Youngsville ABC 2024 pick unforgettable.

Russell’s Reserve 13 Bourbon (2025) is here — and it’s coming in hot at 123.8 proof. We put it head-to-head against the dependable Russell’s 10 Bourbon to see which bottle deserves your glass.

Mondays are tough, but bourbon makes them better. In this Quick Shot Monday episode, we take just five minutes to review the legendary Weller Antique 107. From its wheated mash bill to its bold 107 proof spice, find out if this Buffalo Trace gem lives up to the hype. Watch the full review here: Watch Now

In this blind bourbon showdown, Tortured Bourbon takes on four wheated bourbons—Old Elk, Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat Recipe, Redwood Empire Screaming Titan, and Spirits of French Lick. With wheat instead of rye, these pours promise softer, sweeter flavors. But when Heather and B don’t know what they’re drinking, who wins the wheated bourbon crown?

Weller Bourbon and Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon share the same Buffalo Trace wheated bourbon mash bill, but are they really the same? Explore the truth behind allocated Kentucky bourbon, the “poor man’s Pappy” myth, and why these bottles remain the most hunted in the bourbon world.

Does this angel earn her wings? In this Unscripted episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B take on Angel’s Envy Triple Oak and a North Carolina ABC pick to see which pour soars and which one falls from grace.

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.

Is the youngest Old Fitzgerald decanter still worth the chase? We break down the Fall 2023 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond release from Heaven Hill with history, tasting notes, and a live first pour. Spoiler: it’s wheated, bonded, and definitely dramatic.

Bourbon nerds say Floor 8 is where the magic happens—and in this Pour Decisions Wednesday episode, we find out if the hype is real. Heather and B pop a 100-proof Old Forester Single Barrel pick from the infamous Floor 8. Big flavors, big opinions, and big laughs. Does the floor really matter? Watch and find out.

In this Tortured Bourbon showdown, Heather and B compare the easy-drinking Larceny Small Batch with a bold, barrel-proof Private Barrel Pick. It’s Heaven Hill’s wheated mash bill at two very different octanes—one mellow and approachable, the other fiery and full of personality. Along the way, they uncork the legend of John E. Fitzgerald, the original rickhouse thief, and decide which bottle still steals the show.

Same mash bill. Same distillery. Wildly different outcomes. In this episode, we put Heaven Hill’s Bernheim Barrel Proof up against the 19-Year Wheat Whiskey from their exclusive Heritage Collection. One is accessible and bold; the other is rare, refined, and ridiculously expensive. Is the extra age—and price—worth it? We taste, debate, and do the bourbon math so you don’t have to.

In the finale of Old Forester Fridays, we put the legendary fan-made 1915 blend to the test. Can a DIY mix of 1910 and 1920 really beat the originals? Join Heather, B, and Aaron as they sip, rank, and settle the score in this high-proof showdown filled with flavor, fandom, and a fake label.