Episodes!
π₯ 114 Proof Surprise! Uncle Nearest Single Barrel
On this Pour Decisions Wednesday, weβre 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, yβall!
πΈ 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 Riffβtasting 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 attitudeβand a little guitar showboatingβthis oneβs for you. Cheers yβall, and stay tortured! π₯
Makerβs Mark Wood Finishing Series Review: The Heart Release vs The Keepers Release
We taste Makerβs Markβs 2024 Heart Release and 2025 Keepers Releaseβtwo unique Wood Finishing bourbons that prove why Kentucky still rules the bourbon world.
Peachy or Pitiful? Penelope Peach Old Fashioned Bourbon Review β Ready to Drink Cocktail Tasting
Is the Penelope Peach Old Fashioned Bourbon a peachy summer delight or just a syrupy mess? We poured it neat and on ice to find out β and Katie shocked us all.
πΊπΈ Tortured Bourbon: July 4th Anniversary Special with Evan Williams 1783 American Heroes Edition
πΊπΈ Celebrating July 4th & 1 year of Tortured Bourbon with Evan Williams 1783 American Heroes Edition. Veteran-picked, budget-friendly, tasty.
π₯ Is Elijah Craig A125 a Barrel Proof Banger or Bust? | Tortured Bourbon Review
Join Tortured Bourbon as we tackle Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A125, the first big bourbon release of 2025. Is it a banger or a bust? Full tasting, review, and laughs inside.
The Floor 8 Phenomenon β Old Forester Single Barrel (100 Proof) Review | Pour Decisions Wednesday
Bourbon nerds say Floor 8 is where the magic happensβand 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.
Penelope Toasted Showdown β 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 isnβt just a detailβitβs destiny.
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon Review β Experimental Craft or Corn-Fueled Chaos? | Pour Decisions Wednesday
On this weekβs Pour Decisions Wednesday, we face Heaven Hillβs Grain to Glass Bourbonβan 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.
Viewer Sent Us 4 Mystery Bourbons β And We Had to Guess EVERYTHING
When longtime viewer and Patreon supporter Tyler sent us four mystery bourbon samplesβeach with a secret identityβwe knew we were in for a ride. One bourbon he loves, one he hates, one we missed in a past episode, and one we canβt even get in our area. With Katie holding the answers until the end, we dove headfirst into one of the most unpredictable blind tastings weβve 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 surprisesβand weβre already ready for the next one.
Bourbon in Bond: William Daltonβs Wheated Wonder?
In this third episode of Pour Decisions Wednesday, we pour one out for Indianaβs heritage distilling with a lesser-known wheated bourbon thatβs 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 statementsβthis 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof Showdown β 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:
π₯ 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 spiceβif 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. Itβs 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 storyβand price tagβtake a leap. Rich, layered, and aiming for prestige with a nod to the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act.
Bardstown Origin Series β Are These the Future of Bourbon?
In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we delve into the heart of Kentuckyβs bourbon innovation by exploring the Bardstown Bourbon Companyβs 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?
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.
Old Forester Whiskey Row Bourbon Showdown β Ranking 1897, 1910, 1920 & 1924 Bourbons!
In this episode, we delve into Old Foresterβs Whiskey Row Series, a collection that pays homage to significant milestones in the brandβs storied history. Each expression offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of bourbon, reflecting the innovations and challenges of its respective era.
Kentucky Derby Bourbon Special β Woodford Reserve vs Pinhook 9-Year Bourbon Tasting and Review!
Horses, hats, and high-proof poursβjoin Tortured Bourbon as we celebrate the Kentucky Derby with a tasting showdown between Woodford Reserve and Pinhook 9-Year. History, humor, and bourbon reviews collide in this Derby Day special!
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.
Rebel Bourbon 6 Year 100 Proof Review β The Keith Richards Whiskey with Rock βnβ Roll History
Rebel Bourbon 6 Year 100 Proof brings Stitzel-Weller heritage and rock βnβ roll swagger to your glass. In this review, we explore its ties to Keith Richards, Billy Idol, and wheated bourbon royaltyβplus full tasting notes and why this bold rebrand might be one of the best budget pours of 2025.
2XO Vinyl Bourbon Review β Is This the Thriller of Bourbon?
2XO Vinyl Bourbon promises a full-album bourbon experienceβlayered, bold, and music-inspired. In this review, we explore whether Dixon Dedmanβs 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.
Gourmet Bourbon Pairing at Iron Oaks | Wings, Burgers, and Bold Sips
In this flavor-packed episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B visit Iron Oaks in Raleigh to pair smoky BBQ wings, gourmet charcuterie, and a decadent mushroom Swiss burger with bold, hand-selected bourbons. Itβs food, bourbon, and good timesβserved neat.