Drinking Brother's Bond Bourbon With ‘Star Trek's' Paul Wesley
As Captain Kirk on 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' actor Paul Wesley has taken over the role of one of science fiction's most beloved characters. But it was his previous show 'The Vampire Diaries' that led to his entry into the bourbon world. Together with Ian Somerhalder, his co-star and on-screen sibling for eight seasons, Wesley launched Brother's Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey in 2021. I spoke with Wesley at The Snow Lodge in Aspen about his first drink, what helped him make the leap into the spirits business and why it's so hard to get some whiskey on the USS Enterprise.
What was your first drink?
I'm Polish, so it was vodka. I spent a lot of time visiting my grandparents in Warsaw when I was growing up and they would always give us a taste — within reason. My parents were very European in that sense. There was wine with dinner. When we created Brother's Bond our slogan was 'time to bond' which is what it's all about for me. You're celebrating something or just enjoying it with someone.
Which cocktails do you enjoy?
I was always into darker, smokier spirits. So Manhattans and Old Fashioneds have always been my go-to drinks.
Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championships in Aspen.
What made you take the leap from enjoying it to wanting to make it?
Ian Somerhalder and I were shooting our show 'Vampire Diaries' and we were drinking a lot of bourbon — on and off screen. We had talked about making our own for years but we were always busy filming. And then COVID hit and we had a bunch of time on our hands. We thought 'We're not doing anything, we might as well start blending some bourbon.'
What surprised you most when learning about the process?
How just one small adjustment can change the entire nuance. We created a four grain mash bill, and just by adding a little barley or some more wheat it's incredible how the characteristics change. We had a master distiller who really guided us so we weren't just shooting in the dark.
Paul Wesley at the 51st Annual Saturn Awards.
Do you enjoy the publicity side of it?
The quality of the brand is the top thing to me, but our social media presence is also very important to us. We have the most-followed bourbon brand on Instagram, almost two million followers. And obviously that helps with sales, but we've also introduced a lot of people to bourbon and helped educate them.
Have you gotten to share some Brother's Bond with one of your own idols?
I've had plenty of drinks with other actors, but I'm really into basketball. I've become friends with a bunch of the New York Knicks, including one of their star players Jalen Brunson, and we've all shared some Brother's Bond together. For me, I geek out on athletes.
Paul Wesley at SiriusXM Studios in Miami Beach.
What are your upcoming projects?
I'm shooting a miniseries about the war in Ukraine at the end of next year. I'm very excited about that. And now I'm starting to shoot the next season of Star Trek — it's one of my favorite projects I've ever worked on in my life. The cast is amazing, and the show is so innovative. Every episode is like a movie onto itself.
If you could have a drink with one of the characters you've played, who would it be?
I play Captain Kirk right now and he's the ultimate. Actually, when we were filming last season I tried to get Brother's Bond onto the set of the Enterprise. And — they wouldn't go for it. Space regulations are rough.
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