Can We Kick It?

“Have a vision. Be demanding.”
— Colin Powell

Starting something new always sounds good on paper — until you’re staring at a blank screen at 11 pm and wondering what the hell you got yourself into.

This is that moment for me.

Divine & Distilled has been a vision long enough that it doesn’t feel real that we’re pulling out of the station. The idea was simple: build a space that blends our love of bourbon with the legacy and flavor of the Divine 9. But what you plan and what you pour don’t always come out the same. That’s where the nerves creep in.

Still, I think we’re onto something.

There are a few standout Black-owned brands already putting in work — Uncle Nearest (the blueprint), Diggs Boys (yo), and Brough Brothers, all raising the bar and the visibility. And then there are others who deserve way more attention: New England Barrel Company, 18th Street Distillery, Delta Dirt Distillery — all putting out great juice with their unique stamp on it. We're here to amplify them all. Shine a light. Pass the mic. Pour the glass.

But this isn’t just about the spirits — it’s about the spirit.
We’re here for folks like us:
People who appreciate a good bourbon and a better conversation.
Folks raised on Love Jones and Juice, A Tribe Called Quest and Jodeci.
People who can quote Star Wars and Blade in the same breath.
Those who remember the frenzied claustrophobia of the lockups and the freedom of the yard.
If that’s you — welcome home.

We’re not trying to be experts, just intentional. We want to celebrate what’s out there, sip what’s coming, run our mouths a bit, and make sure people who look like us — whether you're just getting started or already forty bottles deep into your journey — have a space that feels made for you.

So here’s to new things. To first steps. To blurred lines between excitement and anxiety — and still doing the thing anyway.

We’ll get into tasting notes, interviews, stories, music, cigar pairings, everything in between, in due time. But for now… thanks for being here.

We’re just getting started. You could be anywhere on the internet, but you’re here with us. We appreciate that.

Cheers,
E
One of the Four