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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Weller 12 vs Knob Creek 12 goes head-to-head in this controversial bourbon showdown. A wheated unicorn battles an oak-forward powerhouse as we break down flavor, value, availability, and which 12-year bourbon actually deserves your money.

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.