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.

How much heat can you handle? In this fiery edition of Tortured Bourbon, we’re turning up the proof and diving headfirst into the flames with Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon, Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon, and the bold, spicy Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Rye. It’s all part of our Old Forester Friday series—and this week, the heat is real. If you’re searching for an honest, high-proof bourbon review or just want to watch us sweat through a tasting, you’ve come to the right place. At Tortured Bourbon, we don’t just sip—we suffer (for your enjoyment). So in this bourbon tasting showdown, B and Heather battle through three of the hottest Old Forester bourbons ever bottled. From the rich, dark cherry heat of 1920 to the flamethrower intensity of barrel strength bourbon and the green fireball that is barrel strength rye, each pour is evaluated neat and with water or ice to reveal the full character of these Kentucky whiskey monsters. 🥃 What We’re Tasting: • Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon 115 proof. A classic high-proof offering with notes of chocolate, caramel, and spice. Often called the gateway into barrel strength bourbon. Kentucky bourbon done right. • Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon Proof varies (ours was [insert proof here]). Unfiltered, unapologetic bourbon—vanilla, oak, caramel, and intense spice. This is Old Forester’s heavyweight contender in the bourbon world. • Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Rye A bold rye whiskey with proof often above 125. Expect mint, clove, citrus, and black pepper. A rye bourbon lover’s fever dream—and possibly their nightmare. Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon hunter looking for your next barrel proof obsession, or new to high-proof whiskey and wondering if Old Forester 1920 is the right place to start, this video delivers the bourbon tasting insights, laughs, and chaos you’ve come to expect. 🔥 What Makes These Old Foresters Special? Old Forester is one of the few bourbon distilleries that has been continuously operating since before, during, and after Prohibition. These expressions represent their boldest efforts—designed for enthusiasts who love Kentucky bourbon with high heat and full flavor. We walk you through each pour, what aromas and tasting notes you should expect, and how a splash of water or a single ice cube transforms each one. This isn’t your average bourbon review—it’s a bourbon endurance test.

Evan Williams Bourbon has a long and storied place in Kentucky bourbon history. Named after a Welsh immigrant who allegedly began distilling bourbon in 1783, Evan Williams is one of the most recognizable bourbon brands in the world. The Single Barrel Bourbon expression steps it up from the standard black label and bottled-in-bond options. With vintage dating, hand-labeling, and that lovely 86.6 proof, this Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon comes across as the gentleman scholar of the lineup. In this bourbon review, we crack open a 2015 vintage that was bottled in 2023, making it around 8 years old. That’s a solid age for a Kentucky bourbon in this price range, especially considering how hard it’s becoming to find outside of the Bluegrass State. That’s right—Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon has now become primarily a Kentucky-only release. So if you’ve got one sitting on your shelf, you might want to pour it, savor it, and consider whether this bourbon was a brilliant decision—or just another pour decision.

Bourbon & Tequila Collide – 4 Reposado & Añejo Tequilas Aged in Bourbon Barrels! In this Tortured Bourbon Cinco de Mayo special, Heather and Katie throw down the margarita glasses and pick up the Glencairns — because we’re tasting bourbon-barrel-aged tequila. It’s bourbon. It’s tequila. It’s agave with a Kentucky soul. And it’s exactly the chaos you’d expect when B is behind the camera and the ladies are left unsupervised.

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.

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.

In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B crack open the 2025 release of Heaven Hill’s Heritage Collection—an elusive 19-Year Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. With a 51% wheat mash bill, 100 proof Bottled-in-Bond label, and nearly two decades of aging in Rickhouse Y, this whiskey delivers a rich, complex profile of caramel, fig, vanilla, and spice. The episode explores its history, rarity, and whether it lives up to the hype. If you’re into whiskey tastings, bourbon history, or just chasing unicorn bottles, this one’s for you.

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.

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.

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.

Rebel Bourbon 6 Year 100 Proof brings Stitzel-Weller heritage and rock ‘n’ roll swagger to your glass. In this review, we explore its ties to Keith Richards, Billy Idol, and wheated bourbon royalty—plus full tasting notes and why this bold rebrand might be one of the best budget pours of 2025.

2XO Vinyl Bourbon promises a full-album bourbon experience—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.

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?

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. It’s food, bourbon, and good times—served neat.

A blending mistake turned bourbon miracle? In this week’s Hoppy Wednesday, we review Gifted Horse Bourbon from Orphan Barrel—a chaotic mix of 17-year-old bourbon, 4-year-old bourbon, and corn whiskey that somehow works. Heather and B break down the flavors, the backstory, and why this “beautiful accident” might just earn a spot on your shelf.