Challenge:

In 2022, Mayor Rick Skinner enlisted my help to commemorate a significant milestone in Williamstown’s history. Williamstown Select 2021 Bourbon was celebrated with a VIP first pour after being locally selected and taste-tested. Distilled along the Ohio River and aged for five years in Williamstown, KY, it represented the city’s connection to their bourbon heritage.

Solution:

From the first 130,000 barrels aged in Williamstown, KY, a special barrel was chosen, producing 216 limited edition bottles of Williamstown Select 2021. Each bottle was sequentially numbered and presented in a custom-designed pine wood box. As a collector’s item, the bourbon was sold to raise funds for the proposed Williamstown Amphitheater in Downtown Williamstown.

To elevate the execution of my design, I collaborated with Grainwell in Covington, KY, to laser-etch the design onto the pine wood boxes. The same design was featured on the brochure cover, creating a cohesive set. Each box included a numbered bottle of George Remus Bourbon and a brochure that highlighted the significance of the bourbon’s connection to Williamstown, KY, and the story of George Remus and his ties to the tri-state area.

Results:

• All of the limited edition bottles sold out within 24 hours of release.

• The next small batch of Williamstown Select won’t be available until 2027.