From Screen to Sip: The Story Behind Brother’s Bond at 1 Hotels

They played brothers on screen. Now, they’ve bottled the bond. After years of late-night bourbon rituals and a friendship forged over time, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley turned shared moments into serious craft. The result is Brother’s Bond, a whiskey brand rooted in friendship, built with intention, and designed to give back to the land that gives it life. 

This summer, they’ve partnered with 1 Hotels to launch their first regenerative grain micro batch bourbon. Aged seven years and made for our bars and minibars, this single barrel release is more than just a limited-edition bottle. It is a shared vision brought to life, where sustainability meets craftsmanship and every sip tells a story. Selected by our beverage team and made with 100% regenerative grain, this bourbon reflects our commitment to conscious sourcing, slow moments, and meaningful connections.

We sat down with Ian and Paul to talk about the origins of Brother’s Bond, how their connection shaped the brand, and why this collaboration is about more than just a shared love of bourbon. From long days on set to the future of regenerative spirits, they now invite our guests to raise a glass to what truly matters—connection, craft, and a pour that gives back.

Behind the Bond with Ian and Paul

Brother’s Bond was born out of friendship and a shared sense of purpose. What sparked the idea to start the brand, and how has it evolved since those early conversations?

The idea for Brother’s Bond came from years of sharing bourbon together after long days on set. We fell in love with bourbon while shooting the series for 8 years in the South. 

It became our ritual to share a bourbon together. 

We realized how powerful those simple moments were and how bourbon had this amazing way of bringing people together. So, we thought: what if we could bottle that feeling? What started as a passion project has turned into something much bigger: an opportunity to connect with people all over the world, to create something with real craft and purpose, and now, to even give back to the planet that gives us our grains.

Spending years together on The Vampire Diaries built a bond that clearly extends beyond the screen. How did that experience shape your collaboration and trust as co-founders?

When you spend nearly a decade working side by side, day in and day out, you build a level of trust that’s hard to replicate. We’ve seen each other at our best and worst, and that creates a kind of shorthand in how we work together. We challenge each other and support each other while we always come back to that shared goal: building something authentic with true quality that reflects who we are and the values we care about.

Sustainability is a core pillar at 1 Hotels and an increasingly important part of the spirits industry. How is the brand approaching environmental responsibility, and what efforts are you most proud of so far?

From the start, we’ve believed that great bourbon shouldn’t come at the cost of the planet. That’s why we’ve committed to using regenerative grains in our newest expressions. The farming methods that actually help restore soil health and biodiversity. And we donate a portion of our sales to support these farming communities. It’s not a box we’re trying to check, it’s part of who we are. We’re proud to be taking steps toward making whiskey in a more natural, honest way.

You’re introducing Brother’s Bond to our guests through a more immersive experience. What can they expect from this moment and why is in-person connection so important to your mission?

When guests experience Brother’s Bond with us, whether it’s a tasting, a story behind the blend, or just a toast, we hope they feel that spirit of connection. Bourbon has always been about slowing down and savoring the moment, and doing that together makes it even more meaningful. That’s why these in-person activations are so important to us, they bring our whole mission to life.

Whether neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a classic cocktail, Brother’s Bond is meant to be shared. How do each of you personally enjoy it most, and what makes that serve special to you?

Ian: For me, it’s neat or on the rocks. I love tasting every layer of flavor we worked so hard to build. It’s honest and simple, just like how the brand started. Paul: For me it’s also neat or on the rocks. It’s the only way to truly taste the bourbon in its purest and intended form. That said, if I’m going to have a cocktail I love a good Old Fashioned.