We review all three of Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass expressions—Wheated Bourbon, Straight Bourbon, and Rye—in a head-to-head tasting. From mash bill to corn varietal to rickhouse floors, this series showcases true seed-to-spirit transparency. But are they worth the hype (and the $99 price tag)? Let’s find out.

Is the youngest Old Fitzgerald decanter still worth the chase? We break down the Fall 2023 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond release from Heaven Hill with history, tasting notes, and a live first pour. Spoiler: it’s wheated, bonded, and definitely dramatic.

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.

Texas BBQ. Four bold bourbons. One wild live tasting. In this Tortured Bourbon Live episode, we pit Still Austin and Garrison Brothers against each other with a crowd full of guests and a plate full of brisket. It’s smoky, spicy, and unapologetically Texan. Who wins? You’ll have to watch to find out.

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.

What does Seagram’s, Universal Studios, and Indiana rye have in common? In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B dive into the wild rise, fall, and resurrection of one of the most influential distilleries in America: MGP. Learn how a Kansas company bought a legendary distillery for just $11 million—and ended up producing some of the best bourbon and rye whiskey on the shelf today. Featuring tastings of Rossville Union Bottled-in-Bond and George Remus Single Barrel, this episode pulls back the curtain on the whiskey you thought you knew.

Explore Maker’s Mark’s Wood Finishing Series with our bourbon tasting and review of FAE-02, BRT-01, and BEP. Discover how custom toasted staves transform Maker’s classic wheated bourbon into three unique pours. Perfect for bourbon lovers and Maker’s Mark fans alike!

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.

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 — and Katie shocked us all.

Eagle Rare vs Russell’s Reserve 10 — who wins the ultimate 10-year bourbon showdown? In this unscripted episode, we taste, compare, and argue over two Kentucky legends to see which bottle truly deserves your shelf space.

🇺🇸 Celebrating July 4th & 1 year of Tortured Bourbon with Evan Williams 1783 American Heroes Edition. Veteran-picked, budget-friendly, tasty.

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.

Is Penelope Bourbon more than just a pretty bottle? We put the Instagram-famous Rosé Cask Finish and Architect Series to the test in a tasting full of strawberry shortcake notes, French oak science, and our usual bourbon-fueled chaos. Spoiler: it’s not just about the looks.

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.

Bourbon nerds say Floor 8 is where the magic happens—and 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.

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.

What’s behind the red wax? In this deep dive bourbon review, we explore three Maker’s Mark expressions—Original, Maker’s 46, and Maker’s 101—to find out if the hype matches the pour. From sweet wheated mash bills to seared French oak staves, we’re breaking down the flavors, history, and branding behind one of Kentucky’s most iconic bourbons. Is it a smooth classic or just marketing magic? Let’s sip and see.

Bardstown Bourbon Company has built a reputation for bold blends and never missing a beat—but does Fusion Series #7 live up to the hype? In this episode of Pour Decisions Wednesday, we break down the mash bill, taste every note, and put it through the Tortured Bourbon ranking system. It’s part science, part chaos, and all about whether this bottle earns a permanent spot on your shelf.