Bootcamp Team Bourbon Kings was selected as a recipient of the Levitetz Leadership Program's Innovation Seed Grant at The University of Alabama!

Ryan Sarhan, founder of Bourbon Kings, was selected as a recipient of the Levitetz Leadership Program's Innovation Seed Grant at The University of Alabama! Ryan is a spring 2025 Bootcamp graduate and prize winner. The Innovation Seed Grant provides eligible students up to $3,000 to create a new or further develop an existing business idea, social entrepreneurship project, or creative project. "This support is a huge step forward and will allow me to commission the game's key professional art and branding that bring the game's world to life."

Bourbon Kings is a medium-complexity strategy game designed for 2-4 players who enjoy bourbon, board games, or both! 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. Players step into the boots of a master distiller, each with a unique family history and strategic approach. The game brilliantly captures the dual nature of the bourbon market: you'll first navigate the fast-paced bourbon boom, racing to acquire resources and establish your production. Then, the tempo shifts and your long-term planning, temperature management, and timing the market will determine who is crowned the new Bourbon King.

Ryan Sarhan graduated from the University of Kentucky in August 2025 with master’s in Biosystems Engineering. In his personal time, he is an 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.