Bourbon Kings fills a unique niche in the board game industry by offering an educational and immersive experience centered around the art and science of bourbon production. Designed for a mix of board game hobbyists and bourbon enthusiasts who are new to board games, Bourbon Kings taps into the growing demand for richly thematic and engaging games. Our mission is to entertain and educate players about the intricate process of crafting bourbon, fostering a deeper appreciation for this beloved Kentucky spirit through gameplay that accurately reflects real-world aspects of bourbon production. While a love of bourbon will certainly enhance the experience, Bourbon Kings offers engaging gameplay and strategic depth that will appeal to any fan of strategy games.
Bourbon Kings is a medium-complexity strategy game designed for 2-4 players who enjoy strategic gameplay and immersive themes. Bourbon Kings focuses on the distinct process of bourbon production, where players manage resources like grain, yeast, and water, carefully balancing their production to create a specific mash bill for their bourbon. The thrill of the draw can bring a lucky break, granting the perfect card to complete your mash, or a cunning opponent might snatch a crucial ingredient right from under your nose. The roll of the dice can bring an unexpected windfall, boosting your production and propelling you ahead of the competition. As distillers stockpile points in their rickhouses, anticipation builds, knowing that every barrel aged is a step closer to victory. Each player embodies a unique distillery, complete with its own rich lore and distinct goals, fostering a strong sense of role-playing and immersion. Even seemingly cooperative actions, like striking a deal to age your bourbon with another player, requires careful strategizing – you must ensure you don't inadvertently pave the way for your rival's triumph.
In addition to the base game, Bourbon Kings offers a premium subscription box available monthly or quarterly. This box provides subscribers with exclusive game content, distillery merchandise (such as branded glassware and apparel), unique distillery perks (like virtual tastings or early access to new products), and access to in-depth educational materials about bourbon production.
Bourbon Kings is spearheaded by Ryan Sarhan, a Biosystems Engineering master’s student at the University of Kentucky and avid board game fan. Ryan's research on water usage in bourbon fermentation directly informs the game's resource management mechanics, adding a layer of realism and strategic depth. Ryan has also shared his expertise at numerous conferences, presenting at the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits conferences and engaging with industry professionals and enthusiasts.
Email: ryancsarhan@gmail.com
Project Owner
Ryan Sarhan