What Bourbon does Damon Salvatore Drink in Vampire Diaries?

Actor Ian Somerhalder, who played Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries television series for 11 years, tells a funny story about Damon and Stefan and bourbon. Damon’s bourbon on set was iced tea, and Somerhalder says that during the first season he was very jittery and had trouble sleeping. They finally realized it was the amount of caffeine in the iced tea that was the problem, so now the answer to “What kind of bourbon does Damon drink?” is “Decaf!”

Why does Damon drink bourbon?

7 years into the series, the question of why we’ve seen Damon drinking bourbon so much is finally answered. He reveals in a journal that his obsession with bourbon comes from a bottle of wine he waited decades to drink, but never did because it could never taste as good as he imagined it would. He puts it away, never to be opened, and this is why Damon drinking bourbon is a familiar sight in the series.

What is Brother’s Bond?

If the question of a Damon Salvatore bourbon brand was going to be answered, who better to answer it than the actors who played the Salvatore brothers on screen? After the series’ end, Somerhalder and onscreen brother Paul Wesley reunited to create a bourbon of their own. Four years after the final episode aired, on May 1, 2021, Brother’s Bond bourbon was released.

Behind the scenes of the Damon Salvatore bourbon brand

Actors Somerhalder and Wesley first discussed the idea of creating a bourbon brand a decade ago. Off-screen, the two bonded over a love of bourbon, and once the series ended they were able to “really put this thing together.” They also paid attention to the ethical choices their audiences made when spending, and how this might affect the creation of their bourbon.

As of August of 2021, 50,000 cases of Brother’s Bond bourbon had shipped, making it one of the “fastest-selling ultra-premium Bourbon brands” of the year. This success fuels the company’s mission to encourage regenerative agriculture and sustainable and equitable farming practices. Somerhalder says that the fight against climate change is a large part of the company's mission.

Damon’s Bourbon…vital statistics

Brother’s Bond is an 80-proof bourbon whiskey, aged 4 years in oak barrels. A $35-$40 US price tag makes Brother’s Bond a very affordable bourbon. Described as an “easy drinker,” one reviewer mentions the flavors of smoke, caramel, and marzipan in the mix. 

The clear amber liquid has a scent of peach and clover, among other scents. Other reviewers point to flavors of clove and allspice, and even honeyed almond as the liquor “blooms.” So if you’ve ever wondered what kind of bourbon does Damon drink, Brother’s Bourbon provides your answer.

Why Does Damon Drink Bourbon…Now?

While Damon’s obsession with bourbon may have been a sad story in the series, actor Somerhalder has no such emotions about his mash. “We want to bring you something to enjoy that brings back some great memories and some good times to come,” says Somerhalder. Happy memories, a pleasant flavor, and environmental awareness make Brother’s Bond a bourbon to seek out for fans of the series and the drink alike.

Frequently Asked Question's

Let’s review.

What bourbon do they drink on The Vampire Diaries?

Decaffeinated bourbon! It’s actually iced tea, and at one point the cast realized that the amount of caffeine that Ian Somerhalder was drinking was making him jumpy and jittery. They switched to decaf after that.

How much does Brother’s Bond Bourbon cost?

A 750mL bottle of Brother’s Bond bourbon retails for ~$40 US. But it’s not so easy to find, as fans of the show have now become fans of the liquor!

How old is Brother’s Bond Bourbon?

Once the mash has fermented and been distilled, Brother’s Bond bourbon is aged for 4 years in oak barrels. This aging allows the alcohol to mellow somewhat and to take on the color, flavor, and scent of the barrels.

Is Brother’s Bond Bourbon Black-owned?

No, Brother’s Bond is not a Black-owned company. The company was founded by actor Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, who played the Salvatore brothers in the television series The Vampire Diaries.

Has Brother’s Bond Bourbon been successful?

Brother’s Bond appears to have been quite successful. It was one of the fastest-selling bourbons of 2021, thanks to a distribution deal inked between the distillery and Republic National Distributing Company.

Is Brother’s Bond Bourbon limited edition?

While it might seem like it due to the difficulty of finding any online, Brother’s Bond is not a limited edition. As noted above, fans of the television show have become fans of the bourbon, making it an incredibly popular brand over the last few years. But keep your eyes open, and your fangs bared, and you just might chance upon a bottle or two!