Kentucky Owl Bourbon
Distilling Legacy Into Every Detail
A Heritage Reborn: Elevating Kentucky Owl for a Global Audience
After its acquisition by Stoli Group, Kentucky Owl Bourbon was ready for a relaunch that honored its legacy while appealing to a new generation of high-end whiskey drinkers. I led creative direction for the brand’s digital presence and visual storytelling, helping shape how the brand would show up online and in-market.
I oversaw the design and development of the new Kentucky Owl website—from wireframes through launch—ensuring it reflected the brand’s evolving tone, craft, and luxury positioning. I also directed product photography across multiple releases, capturing the detail and richness of each bottle with consistency and clarity.
The result is a refined, cohesive brand experience—built to hold its own on shelves, screens, and in the hands of collectors around the world.
My role:
Creative Art Director—2018
Client:
Stoli Group
Services provided:
Creative Direction
Art Direction
Graphic Design
Web Design
Digital Storytelling with Substance and Style
The Kentucky Owl website was designed to immerse visitors in the brand’s rich heritage while introducing a sleek, elevated digital experience. We layered in subtle motion, parallax transitions, and microinteractions to create a sense of craft and care—mirroring the precision behind each bottle. Thoughtful storytelling guided the user journey, blending product education with brand mythos to engage both newcomers and seasoned bourbon collectors. The result is a site that feels as refined and intentional as the spirit itself.
Crafting a Visual Language Through Photography
For Kentucky Owl, I led art direction across both studio and on-location photography to establish a rich, consistent visual identity. Detailed product shots highlighted the craftsmanship of each bottle, while environmental and lifestyle photography brought the brand’s heritage to life in real-world settings. Featuring founding blender and brand ambassador Dixon Dedman added a layer of authenticity and narrative depth. These assets formed a versatile image library used across web, print, and social channels—including targeted campaigns on Instagram and Facebook—ensuring the brand showed up with clarity and character wherever it appeared.
Extending the Brand with Purposeful Print
To support the transition of Kentucky Owl under Stoli Group ownership, I developed a new letterhead kit that thoughtfully incorporated the brand’s existing identity. Using established visual elements—typography, marks, and color—I created a system of print collateral that felt both elevated and cohesive within Stoli’s broader portfolio. The result is a refined suite of business materials that honors Kentucky Owl’s legacy while aligning with its next chapter.
