In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we break down bourbon hype using Weller Special Reserve, Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 7 Year, and Very Old Barton 86 Proof. Three bottles, three different reasons for hype — and none of them tell you exactly what’s inside.

What happens when you blend Wild Turkey 101 and Benchmark bourbon together to create a custom 95-proof bourbon? In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we attempt a ridiculous but fascinating bourbon experiment we’re calling Turkey Trace — a budget bourbon blend inspired by Buffalo Trace style flavor.

Maker’s Mark Private Selection “Southern Charm” takes classic wheated bourbon and pushes it into deeper wood territory with a bold stave finishing profile. We break down how each French and American oak stave impacts flavor — and whether this single barrel earns a second pour.

What happens when you listen to The Beatles the same way you drink bourbon? In this special episode of Tortured Bourbon, we pair each era of the band’s evolution with a whiskey that mirrors its mood, intention, and character — from the raw beginnings of Love Me Do to the restraint and resolution of Abbey Road. This isn’t a ranking or a tasting competition. It’s a shared listening experience, one pour at a time.

A deep dive into three cult-favorite Willett bourbons — Rowan’s Creek, Johnny Drum Private Stock, and Noah’s Mill. Mash bills, proofs, tasting notes, and why these non-age-stated bottles still dominate bourbon conversations.

Two seven-year Bottled-in-Bond bourbons. Same proof. Same distillery. Very different personalities. Old Fitzgerald 7 faces off against Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond in a wheated vs rye showdown you can actually taste.

Tortured Bourbon goes full dessert mode as Heather and B pair three decadent bourbons with three real desserts — an éclair, a crème brûlée, and a s’more. Maker’s Mark, Penelope Architect, and Penelope Toasted go head-to-head in the sweetest bourbon experiment we’ve ever attempted. Pastry, custard, campfire… and a whole lot of high-proof chaos.

This week on Tortured Bourbon, our friend Mike shows up with a Mystery Bourbon—and Heather and B have to figure out what it is without the label. Is it an allocated unicorn or a budget sleeper? Tune in to see how we fared in this blind tasting challenge.

Bourbon with a purpose. Penelope’s Answer to Cancer isn’t just another limited release — it’s a bottle designed to raise awareness, funding, and hope in the fight against cancer. For us at Tortured Bourbon, it’s personal. B is riding 300 miles to raise money for the American Cancer Society, and every pour of this release connects to that mission. Together, bottle and bike remind us that bourbon can do more than taste good — it can bring a community together to make a difference.

👉 Donate to the ride here: https://gofund.me/06efe610

Kick off your week with the very first Quick Shot Monday from Tortured Bourbon! In five minutes or less, Heather and B taste Larceny Barrel Proof A125 — Heaven Hill’s bold wheated bourbon release for January 2025. Is this barrel proof powerhouse worth the hype? Read our blog and watch the full video to find out.

Three wheated bourbons, one Indiana distillery, and a whole lot of transparency talk. In this Tortured Bourbon episode, we review and rank Rare Saint, Old Louisville, and Fiddler Chin Music—all sourced from MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Proof, finishing, and honesty collide in this deep-dive tasting.

On this unscripted episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B take on three toasted barrel bourbons from three different distilleries to find out who does “toasted” best. One is a classic, one is elegant, and one is quietly surprising.

When MGP dropped $475 million to buy Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky, it wasn’t just a business deal — it was a bourbon power play. In this episode, we explore how the king of Indiana-sourced whiskey officially took over Kentucky soil, what that means for beloved brands like Rebel and Ezra Brooks, and whether the bourbon in your glass still tastes like tradition… or corporate consolidation.

In this Tortured Bourbon episode, Heather and B explore the Kentucky roots of Maker’s Mark with a deep dive into Star Hill Farm—the source of their new 2025 American Wheat Whiskey. This 100-proof wheat whiskey blends sustainability, terroir, and soft red winter wheat into a pour that’s as elegant as it is drinkable.

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 — or some explaining to do. Stay tortured, y’all!

This week on Tortured Bourbon, we plug in the electric guitar and crank up the chaos as we dive into New Riff—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 attitude—and a little guitar showboating—this one’s for you. Cheers y’all, and stay tortured! 🥃

We taste Maker’s Mark’s 2024 Heart Release and 2025 Keepers Release—two unique Wood Finishing bourbons that prove why Kentucky still rules the bourbon world.

Maker’s Mark Private Select turns bourbon into a custom flavor adventure. In this episode, Tortured Bourbon dives into four wild stave combos, from mocha bombs to crème brûlée pours. It’s a cask-strength ride through flavor science, chaos, and some seriously fun tasting notes.

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 detail—it’s destiny.

Two Barrell Bourbons. One showdown.

In this Hoppy Wednesday episode, Heather and B pit the bold, oak-heavy Barrell 15-Year Cask Strength against the bright, layered Barrell New Year 2025. It’s a cask strength clash filled with tasting notes, high-proof laughs, and a surprise verdict. Which pour earns top honors—and which one steals your heart? Pour a glass and find out.