Welcome to Divine & Distilled. This endeavor began with an idea from Ryan Burkett and Ephraim “E” Gorham, who knew the love of bourbon was just the start of something bigger. That idea quickly struck a chord with Matt Bradley and Larren “Gerard” Bridgers, who joined in with equal passion and purpose. As friends and fraternity brothers, we’ve always connected on more than just our professional paths or Divine 9 affiliations. We found common ground in the appreciation for the history, culture, and the refinded process behind Bourbon, American Whiskey and Rye. This shared journey into the world of spirits felt natural, a way to connect on a deeper level and celebrate the things we value – heritage, community, and quality craft.

Our vision for Divine & Distilled is to create an inviting space that blends the storytelling we love with the strong community ethos we know from our Greek life, all rooted primarily in the world of bourbon, whiskey, and rye. While our specific background in the Divine 9 heavily influences our perspective and some content, we are building this community to be welcoming and open to everyone who shares an interest in American whiskey, culture, music, and authentic connection, whether you're a seasoned sipper or bourbon curious. Our mission is simple but profound: To celebrate culture and craft, one pour at a time. We want to share our personal experiences, learn together, and highlight the often-untold stories within the spirits industry, especially those connected to Black culture. While our primary focus is 90% on American whiskey, maybe you'll find recommendations for a great cigar on occasion as a complementary pairing.

We're heading down a path to build something meaningful – a community where conversations are soulful, informative, and rooted in shared experience. This website is just the beginning, a place to introduce ourselves and our vision. We plan to expand into podcasts, social media, events, and more, all designed to foster connection and appreciation. This isn't just our journey; it's one we want to take with you. We invite you to join us as we explore the rich intersection of culture and craft, one pour, one story, and one moment of connection at a time.