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.

Is Missouri hiding one of the best barrel strength bourbons out there? In this Pour Decisions Wednesday, we explore Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof—a bold, historic, grain-to-glass powerhouse from the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi. High proof, deep flavor, and zero hype. This one’s a sleeper hit.

This week on Old Forester Fridays, we take on a battle of bourbon identities: the sharply dressed, cinematic smooth-talker versus the rugged, smoke-slinging ranch hand. In one corner, it’s Old Forester Statesman, a 95-proof bourbon dressed to the nines in sleek branding and backed by a movie franchise. In the other, it’s Old Forester King Ranch Edition, a bolder, 105-proof Texas collaboration that swaps out polish for mesquite smoke and leather-wrapped bravado.

Both bottles carry the Old Forester name, both sit at the higher end of your bourbon shelf—and both lean hard into marketing, image, and storytelling. But do either of them actually deliver on flavor? Or are we just paying for the label?

Join Heather and B as they dig into the mash bills, barrel treatments, branding choices, and of course—the taste. With Heather playing fashion critic and B playing rodeo clown, this episode asks the big question: is there any real substance under all that style?

If you’ve ever picked up a bottle because it looked cool or had a story, this is the episode for you.

In Part 2 of our Bardstown Bourbon deep dive, we explore two experimental showstoppers from their Collaborative Series—a Small Batch Stave Finish and a Silver Oak Cabernet-finished bourbon. Blending, finishing, and bold flavor collide in this bourbon tasting that proves Bardstown isn’t just playing the game—they’re rewriting the rules.

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 statements—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.

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:

🥃 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 spice—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 story—and price tag—take a leap. Rich, layered, and aiming for prestige with a nod to the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act.

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?

Pinhook Cask Strength Bourbon – Bold, Brash, and Racing for Glory

In this second episode of Pour Decisions Wednesday, the Tortured Bourbon crew returns to the saddle with a high-proof stallion—Pinhook Cask Strength Bourbon. And let’s be clear: this one isn’t trotting politely into your Glencairn. It’s coming in hot at 115.3 proof, bold as hell and ready to test your bourbon mettle.

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.

In this episode, we delve into Old Forester’s Whiskey Row Series, a collection that pays homage to significant milestones in the brand’s storied history. Each expression offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of bourbon, reflecting the innovations and challenges of its respective era.

Horses, hats, and high-proof pours—join 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!

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.