Episodes!

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πŸ₯ƒ 114 Proof Surprise! Uncle Nearest Single Barrel

On this Pour Decisions Wednesday, we’re diving into a bold locals pick: Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Carolina Beach Barrel 1764 at a fiery 114 proof. Is it a rich caramel Tennessee whiskey or pure ethanol regret? Join Heather and B as they taste, rank, and decide if Carolina Beach has bragging rights β€” or some explaining to do. Stay tortured, y’all!

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🎸 New Riff Double Feature: Bottled-in-Bond vs Single Barrel Bourbon

This week on Tortured Bourbon, we plug in the electric guitar and crank up the chaos as we dive into New Riffβ€”tasting their Bottled-in-Bond (100 proof) and Single Barrel (117.3 proof) bourbons. Both are high-rye Kentucky classics with serious spice, bold oak, and enough caramel to keep us coming back. We break down mash bills, nosing notes, palate surprises, and run them through our Tortured Bourbon scale. If you love bourbon with attitudeβ€”and a little guitar showboatingβ€”this one’s for you. Cheers y’all, and stay tortured! πŸ₯ƒ

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Penelope Toasted Showdown – Rye vs Bourbon: Char 1 vs Char 4

Two barrels. Two char levels. One flavor war. In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B pit Penelope Toasted Rye (char 1) against Penelope Toasted Bourbon (char 4) in a showdown of grain, fire, and finish. From marshmallow fluff to burnt toffee, this toasted battle proves that char level isn’t just a detailβ€”it’s destiny.

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Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon Review – Experimental Craft or Corn-Fueled Chaos? | Pour Decisions Wednesday

On this week’s Pour Decisions Wednesday, we face Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Bourbonβ€”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.

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Viewer Sent Us 4 Mystery Bourbons – And We Had to Guess EVERYTHING

When longtime viewer and Patreon supporter Tyler sent us four mystery bourbon samplesβ€”each with a secret identityβ€”we knew we were in for a ride. One bourbon he loves, one he hates, one we missed in a past episode, and one we can’t even get in our area. With Katie holding the answers until the end, we dove headfirst into one of the most unpredictable blind tastings we’ve ever done. No script. No prep. Just four pours, four guesses, and four people slowly realizing how wrong they might be. This episode was fun, chaotic, and full of surprisesβ€”and we’re already ready for the next one.

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Bourbon in Bond: William Dalton’s Wheated Wonder?

In this third episode of Pour Decisions Wednesday, we pour one out for Indiana’s heritage distilling with a lesser-known wheated bourbon that’s been turning quiet heads in craft whiskey circles: William Dalton Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon from Spirits of French Lick.

Forget the mass-produced mash bills and corporate-age statementsβ€”this is bourbon the old-school way: grain-to-glass, pot-stilled, and made with locally sourced ingredients. At 100 proof and over four years old, this craft wheater pays tribute to William Dalton, an early Indiana distiller whose legacy lives on in this small-batch bottle.

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Old Forester 100 Proof Showdown – Signature vs Store Pick vs 1897 Bottled in Bond

What happens when you take three 100-proof Old Forester bourbons, put them side-by-side, and ask two unqualified but overly confident bourbon nerds to judge them? You get one of the most evenly matched, high-proof tasting showdowns in Tortured Bourbon history.

In this episode, we line up:

πŸ₯ƒ The Contenders

  • Old Forester Signature 100 Proof

    A classic, budget-friendly workhorse that punches above its price point. Think caramel, banana bread, and a touch of spiceβ€”if your everyday pour wore a flannel and fixed your lawn mower.

  • Old Forester Store Pick (Single Barrel 100 Proof)

    A more personalized expression with variation depending on the pick. Ours brought the heat and a little swagger. It’s the bourbon equivalent of showing up to a tasting in cowboy boots and quoting Hemingway.

  • Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond

    Part of the Whiskey Row Series. Same proof, but the storyβ€”and price tagβ€”take a leap. Rich, layered, and aiming for prestige with a nod to the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act.

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Bardstown Origin Series – Are These the Future of Bourbon?

In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we delve into the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon innovation by exploring the Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Origin Series. Known for their modern approach and commitment to quality, Bardstown Bourbon Company has introduced a lineup that challenges traditional bourbon norms. But do these expressions signify the future of bourbon, or are they just another trend?

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 Blind Tasting Showdown: Buffalo Trace Bourbon vs. Buffalo Trace Barrel Select!

In this blind tasting episode, we pit two expressions from the renowned Buffalo Trace Distillery against each other:

  • Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon: The flagship offering, known for its consistent quality and widespread availability.

  • Buffalo Trace Single Barrel Select: A store-picked single barrel version, offering unique flavor profiles depending on the barrel selected.

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Eagle Rare Bourbon vs Kentucky Spirit Bourbon

Two single-barrel legends. One blind tasting. No bias. In this Tortured Bourbon showdown, Eagle Rare 10 goes head-to-head with Kentucky Spirit in a battle of bold flavors and bourbon legacy.

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2XO Vinyl Bourbon Review – Is This the Thriller of Bourbon?

2XO Vinyl Bourbon promises a full-album bourbon experienceβ€”layered, bold, and music-inspired. In this review, we explore whether Dixon Dedman’s double-oaked blend lives up to the hype. Packed with tasting notes, pop culture pairings, and our signature wit, this pour might just be the Thriller of your bourbon shelf.

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