Brother’s Bond is a bourbon and whiskey brand founded by actors Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder. Perhaps best known for their roles as Stefan and Damon Salvatore on The CW’s The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017), the on-screen brothers and off-screen friends found a shared love of bourbon on set. And so, Brother’s Bond was born.
Exploring the origins, core expressions, tasting notes, and prices, this is the ultimate guide to Brother’s Bond Whiskey.
What is Brother’s Bond Whiskey?
Brother’s Bond is a bourbon and whiskey brand founded in 2021 by Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder.
The two played brothers, Stefan and Damon, on The Vampire Diaries. Originally broadcast in 2009, the show became an international sensation, with the first season averaging 3.6 million viewers across all episodes.
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In the show, Stefan and Damon are known to have a love of bourbon, as do Wesley and Somerhalder. The two bonded over their shared love of bourbon and, following the finale of The Vampire Diaries, undertook a new venture in whiskey-making.
How involved are Wesley and Somerhalder in the making of Brother’s Bond Whiskey?
The actors pride themselves on being involved every step of the way. From initial distillation to rickhouse management, sampling, and bottling, Wesley and Somerhalder are extremely knowledgeable about their product.
In a world of celebrity-backed brands, this is increasingly rare – and refreshing. If you open a bottle of Brother’s Bond Bourbon, you can be safe in the knowledge that Paul and Ian have put their all into producing the spirit.
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What are the core range expressions?
There are currently four different expressions of Brothers Bond available.
The first, and flagship, is the Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Distilled from a four-grain mash bill comprising 65% corn, 22% rye, and 13% wheat and barley, the bourbon is aged for a minimum of four years in virgin American white oak. The cask staves are charred to level #4, whilst the cask head is charred to level #2. The bourbon is then bottled at a gentle 40% ABV.
Next up is the Original Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Distilled and matured in exactly the same way as the flagship expression, this cask-strength bourbon is bottled at barrel proof. The ABV varies from batch to batch, demonstrating the barrel-to-bottle nature of the bourbon.
Now onto the Brother’s Bond Regenerative Grain Bourbon. This straight bourbon whiskey is distilled from a mash bill comprising 70.5% corn, 14.7% rye, 9% wheat, and 5.8% malted barley. All such grains, according to the brand website, were “cultivated through regenerative agriculture, ensuring a positive impact on the environment.” The result is a stunning blend of a three-year-old bourbon and a six-year-old wheated bourbon.
And finally, we have the rye. The Brother’s Bond American Blended Rye Whiskey is “big and bold, aromatic & full of flavor.” The whiskey is made from a mash bill of 77% rye, 16% corn, and 7% wheat and barley. Following four years of maturation, the resulting straight rye is then blended with Brother’s Bond signature bourbon.
What does Brother’s Bond Bourbon taste like?
Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the brand’s flagship expression, boasts some rather mouthwatering tasting notes (notes via the Brother’s Bond website):
“BAKED BANANA BREAD
The comforting aroma of baked goodness, jammy ripe fruit with walnuts and orange honey come in first.
“DRIED FRUIT
A rich honey sweetness emerges, accompanied by hints of black tea spice and dried fruits.
“WARM RYE SPICE
Richness of toasted cereal grain rounded out by honeysuckle notes.
“FRESH CUT OAK
An energetic lingering, smooth finish of perfectly balanced warm spice.”
Tasting notes for all Brother’s Bond expressions can be found on their website.
Has Brother’s Bond Whiskey won any awards?
Too many to count, in fact.
Brother’s Bond’s flagship bourbon has been honored at such competitions as the American Spirits Council of Tasters (ASCOT) and the TAG Global Spirits Awards in 2023.
The cask strength expression has earned medals also at ASCOT as well as the New York World Spirits Competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
The new Regenerative Bourbon won a gold medal at the 2024 (SFWSC), and the rye whiskey was honored at all of the above competitions.
Where can you buy Brother’s Bond Whiskey?
Brother’s Bond whiskey is widely available across the United States, with the nationwide average price for the flagship expression currently sitting at $41. The brand also has a handy store locator on its website, to help you find your nearest BB stockist.
Additionally, there is exciting news for UK and EU-based bourbon fans, the flagship expression is now available to purchase via the UK and EU shop for £58.65. Those who purchase soon will win the chance to attend a virtual tasting with Damon Salvatore himself: Ian Somerhalder.
How is Brother’s Bond Whiskey best enjoyed?
Like any bourbon or whiskey, Brother’s Bond spirits can be enjoyed just as they are – neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water.
However, if you are a fan of bourbon cocktails, then the brand has also got you covered, with a page dedicated to BB cocktail recipes.
My personal favorite is the Bourbon Sunset. Here is how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 0.5 oz Aperol
- 0.5 oz Amaro
- 0.5 oz Lemon juice
- 0.5 oz Ruby red grapefruit juice
Method:
- Measure all ingredients and pour into a shaker
- Add ice, stir, and strain into a coupe glass
- Garnish with a lemon twist
What is next for Brother’s Bond Bourbon?
According to an interview with Whisky Advocate in March of this year, Wesley and Somerhalder are working on some Bottled-In-Bond bourbon and rye expressions. Additionally, Wesley expressed a desire to play around with traditional mash bills to produce what he and Somerhalder call a “sweet rye”. Variations in ABV may also follow, as the two distill expressions that are higher in proof, and will appeal to those who like a cask-strength kick.
Whatever tricks these brothers by bond have up their sleeves, I for one cannot wait to see what they do next.
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