🇺🇸 Celebrating July 4th & 1 year of Tortured Bourbon with Evan Williams 1783 American Heroes Edition. Veteran-picked, budget-friendly, tasty.

What’s behind the red wax? In this deep dive bourbon review, we explore three Maker’s Mark expressions—Original, Maker’s 46, and Maker’s 101—to find out if the hype matches the pour. From sweet wheated mash bills to seared French oak staves, we’re breaking down the flavors, history, and branding behind one of Kentucky’s most iconic bourbons. Is it a smooth classic or just marketing magic? Let’s sip and see.

Bardstown Bourbon Company has built a reputation for bold blends and never missing a beat—but does Fusion Series #7 live up to the hype? In this episode of Pour Decisions Wednesday, we break down the mash bill, taste every note, and put it through the Tortured Bourbon ranking system. It’s part science, part chaos, and all about whether this bottle earns a permanent spot on your shelf.

On this week’s Pour Decisions Wednesday, we face Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Bourbon—an experimental release with full seed-to-bottle control, a proprietary corn strain, and serious craft whiskey ambition. After surviving the peppermint PTSD of their Grain to Glass Rye, Heather and B brace for either redemption or regret in this 107-proof high-rye bourbon showdown.

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.

Big Horn Bourbon comes from the wide skies and wild spirit of Montana—but does this 80-proof whiskey from Willie’s Distillery deliver anything beyond frontier charm? In this Pour Decisions Wednesday episode, Heather and B explore this small-town bourbon and give it the full Tortured Bourbon treatment.

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.

In this Tortured Bourbon episode, Heather and B dive into Dixon Dedman’s bold 2XO Icon Series — the Kiawah Blend, Tribute Blend, and Innkeeper Blend — before finishing with a full bourbon review of the ultra-premium Gem of Kentucky. From flavor notes like stone fruit and banana bread to a $200+ single-barrel stunner, this is a must-watch for bourbon lovers, Dixon Dedman fans, and anyone curious about double-barreled Kentucky bourbon done right.

Wild Turkey 101 8-Year is finally back in the U.S., and the Tortured Bourbon crew is here to find out if it lives up to the hype. We taste and compare it against the classic Wild Turkey 101 and the limited 70th Anniversary Jimmy Russell Edition, diving into mash bills, tasting notes, and decades of bold bourbon tradition—with plenty of laughs along the way.

In this special episode, we review Four Walls Whiskey—created by the cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia—as a tribute to bar culture and Rob McElhenney’s birthday. Blending Irish and American whiskey styles, this surprisingly smooth pour delivers flavor, heart, and a healthy dose of Philly chaos.

Can a Brooklyn-born bourbon compete with the big Kentucky names? In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B review Widow Jane 10 Year—a bold blend of sourced bourbons proofed with limestone water and aged in the heart of NYC. Is it hype, or a hidden gem?