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October 22, 2024, marked the 25th anniversary of the release of The Best Man, filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee’s 1999 directorial debut that earned high praises from both critics and moviegoers. Now, 25 years since the release of the movie, its stars Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Harold Perrineau, and Malcolm D. Lee have reunited with a new venture. However, instead of receiving a remake of this great comedy-drama, the cast of The Best Man has reunited to launch Sable Bourbon, a high-quality spirit inspired by their friendship.
The four artists banded together to create their own bourbon after Harold Perrineau expressed his interest in continuing their camaraderie and working relationship past The Best Man, its sequel, and the limited miniseries The Best Man: The Final Chapters, which aired on December 22, 2022. Perrineau came up with the idea and discovered Bespoken Spirits, a cutting-edge, Earth-conscious craft whiskey producer known for its sustainable production methods. Soon, the rest of the cast of The Best Man joined in.
Lee and Chestnut were immediately on board with Perrineau’s idea, while Diggs, who rarely leaves his own comfort zone, eventually joined after being motivated by the appeal and the maturity the four of them bring as Black men in the world of spirits. In fact, he joked about his personal evolution going from Zima Clearmalt — a clear, vodka-containing, and slightly carbonated alternative to beer — to fine bourbon.
Thus, we can comfortably say that his personal evolution resonates with a sense of growth tied to the characters Chestnut, Perrineau, and himself, portrayed in The Best Man. Malcolm D. Lee is the film’s director, but he also made a brief appearance in the movie. Sable bourbon is crafted using a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, resulting in a bold 94°P (94-proof) deep golden-brown spirit whose tasting notes feature the aroma of burnt sugar and nutty marzipan.
Thanks to Bespoken Spirits’ innovative approach to aging and flavor profiling — which earned the company more than 200 awards in just three years — Sable bourbon delivers rich flavors of dark chocolate fudge with mocha, complemented by an oak-forwards and medium spice finish. The gents from The Best Man were very involved with the flavor profiling process, bottle design, and even the name, with “Sable” meaning “black,” symbolizing the depth and richness of their friendship.
For those who haven’t seen The Best Man, the movie follows Lance, Harper, and Julian (Chestnut, Diggs, and Perrineau, respectively) as they reunite for Lance’s wedding. Harper, who is the best man and an author, realizes that his debut novel might stir up secrets from their past, creating tension among the group. With the wedding approaching, the trio must mend their old wounds and navigate the complexities of their friendships to support one another and ensure that the big day goes as smoothly as possible.
Of course, with The Best Man being a comedy-drama with a wedding theme, hilarity ensues. The movie was a commercial and critical hit upon its release in 1999. Its success helped launch the careers of Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall, and Terrence Howard into the stratosphere, who gained significant recognition and opportunities in Hollywood following the film’s release. Not only that, but it also solidified Malcolm D. Lee’s reputation as a talented director.
What contributed to the film’s success is the representation of young, upwardly mobile Black men, which was completely different from the stereotypical roles associated with the majority of Hollywood depictions. All the characters were fresh out of college and trying to figure things out and find their footing in the grown-up world, and this representation resonated well with Black audiences as well as more mainstream viewers.
The launch of Sable Bourbon arrived alongside the 25th anniversary of The Best Man, so the actors took the opportunity to organize a photo shoot to promote their project. They also hired stylist J. Bolin to perfect their style for the event. During the promotional shoot, Malcolm D. Lee also hinted at new storytelling projects he’s currently working on. Perrineau, however, added that there’s a secret agenda behind the liquor, and it involves intoxicating Malcolm so that he’d write another chapter in The Best Man series or films.
Sable Bourbon is available online at the brand’s website at a suggested retail price of $60 per 750mL bottle (25-ish fl.oz.) and is currently being shipped out to retail locations across the United States. If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out the Sable Bourbon and Bespoke Spirits on social media. On the other hand, if you’re interested in watching The Best Man, the movie is currently available on Prime Video, where you can rent or buy a digital copy.
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