Brother's Bond Refines Its Game
With five releases in five years, Brother’s Bond’s famous co-creators focus on authenticity and quality
February 2, 2026 –––––– Laura Pelner
Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley have done celebrity whiskey differently. The duo—famed for their roles as brothers in the television show “The Vampire Diaries”—has earned respect in the whiskey community for their Brother’s Bond brand, which launched in 2021. Brother’s Bond has gone beyond the normal boundaries of a celebrity brand—one that gets attention only because its founders are famous—to become valued by whiskey aficionados as quality liquid. Somerhalder and Wesley have gained notoriety for their involvement in creating and shaping each release, with Somerhalder taking a hands-on approach to the blending and liquid evaluation while Wesley handles creative direction and brand expression.
Brother’s Bond has released a new whiskey every year since its launch five years ago. Its flagship Straight Bourbon (40% ABV, $42) is a four-grain, high-rye blended from small-batch barrels, followed soon by Cask Strength (57%-59% ABV, $85). Both whiskeys have a mashbill of 65% corn, 22% rye, and 13% wheat and barley (exact percentages aren’t disclosed). The duo followed their initial releases with a blended rye (47.5% ABV, $50) with a mashbill of 77% rye, 16% corn, and 7% wheat and barley, and Bottled In Bond Straight Bourbon (50% ABV, $60), made with 51% corn, 39% rye, and 10% rye malt. Last year, Brother’s Bond introduced an entirely new project—Regenerative Grain (46% ABV, $60), a straight bourbon with a mashbill of 73% corn, 10% rye, 8% wheat, and 9% malted barley. Sourced with grains grown on regenerative farms, the label was a limited release of only 16,404 bottles.
“We have five core whiskeys in the portfolio, each with a distinct and intentional role,” Wesley tells Whisky Advocate. “Together, they reflect our approach to balance, structure, and blending.” Brother’s Bond is sold nationwide and spent much of the last year expanding globally, with the whiskeys now available across the UK, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Cyprus and Greece, Austria, Taiwan, and Japan. For 2026, there will be a focus on duty-free and Travel Retail.
Brother’s Bond also revamped its packaging last year to coincide with the release of Regenerative Grain. The whiskeys are now bottled in U.S.-made glass to lower the brand’s carbon footprint and enforce its commitment to sustainability, and they feature new, cleaner labeling that aims to exude luxury. The brand donates regularly to Kiss The Ground, a non-profit that champions regenerative farming and soil health.
Five years into whiskey-making, Somerhalder and Wesley remain passionate about their venture. While they won’t disclose specific plans for new whiskeys, they say that they’re always experimenting. “Experimentation is very much part of our DNA, but we’re disciplined about it,” Somerhalder explains. “A lot of our work happens quietly, through micro-blending, mashbill exploration, and barrel evaluation. There are ideas in development, but we’re careful not to expand just for the sake of expanding. Any new whiskey has to earn its place and clearly add something meaningful to the portfolio.”
Somerhalder teases that he’s interested in experimentation and innovation. “We’re very inspired by the range [of flavor options] that exists within bourbon and rye, and that includes playing with grains and mashbill composition, fermentation character, and how barrels influence structure over time,” the actor-turned-whiskey-maker says. “We’ve explored sweeter or more spice-driven styles, and longer aging continues to be an area of interest.”
After a new release, packaging upgrades, and global expansion moves in 2025, Brother’s Bond is focusing on refinement and elevation for 2026, with CEO Vincent Hanna noting that this year is about depth, not breadth. In the long term, Somerhalder says he’s focused on building a respected, enduring whiskey house that’s known for balance, integrity, and intentional growth. Wesley adds that it’s all about offering a curated and purposeful portfolio.
“At its core, Brother’s Bond has always been about patience—taking the time to get the whiskey right, to build real trust with our drinkers, and to grow in a way that feels authentic,” Somerhalder says. “That philosophy continues to guide every decision we make.”
3 Highest-Scoring Brother’s Bond Whiskeys
92 points – Regenerative Grain Bourbon
Peach preserves, bittersweet chocolate, and baking spice
90 points – Four Grain Small Batch Blended Rye
Cinnamon, coffee grounds, and raspberry iced tea
89 points – Original Cask Strength Bourbon
Red Hots, freshly grated ginger, and white peppercorn
![Pairing Whisky With Cigars [Video]](/get/files/image/galleries/260127_WA_Cigars-and-Whisky_Still02-HERO.png?resize=410x0)
