Simply Bourbon Book: Elevating America’s Native Spirit in Print
Crafting a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and collaboration through premium book production.
Simply Bourbon
Project Overview
O’Neil partnered on the creation of Simply Bourbon: America’s Most Beloved Spirit, a visually rich coffee table book celebrating the heritage and craft of Kentucky bourbon. Working alongside Rule29, Wonderkind Studios, and BindTech, O’Neil brought deep experience in Publications and Books to deliver a finished piece worthy of the subject it represents. What began as a collaborative publishing project became a benchmark for premium print, earning industry recognition and serving as a powerful sample for everyone involved.
Client Overview
Willett Distillery is a family-owned distillery in Kentucky, known for exceptional whiskey and deep roots in the bourbon industry. When first approached about participating in a coffee table book, the Willett family was understandably cautious. As the concept evolved, the project shifted to center on their distillery, history, and craftsmanship.
O’Neil was entrusted to ensure the book reflected the quality, care, and legacy of the Willett name, translating storytelling, photography, and design into a physical object meant to be kept.
The question was simple to state and difficult to execute.
Could a printed book truly reflect the quality, history, and craftsmanship of a family distillery with generations of legacy behind it?
The Challenge
Precision and Quality
The book needed to capture the craft of Kentucky bourbon through exceptional print quality and detail.
Visual Depth and Elegance
Photography and design had to work together to create a rich visual experience without distracting from the story.
Seamless Collaboration
Multiple contributors required careful coordination to meet a shared standard of excellence.
The O’Neil Approach
O’Neil’s respect for finely crafted books guided every decision. Working closely with Rule29 and all collaborators, O’Neil helped ensure design intent, material choices, and production execution aligned with the vision for the book and elevated the storytelling.
Rather than treating the project as a single production task, O’Neil approached it as coordinated craft across the O’Neil Platform, where quality and accountability stay connected from proofing to binding.
What We Did
- Supported production strategy for a premium coffee table book built to become a benchmark
- Selected premium paper (Sappi McCoy) to elevate photography reproduction and tactile feel
- Managed print execution to maintain consistency across photography-heavy layouts
- Produced both hardcover and softcover editions of the book
- Coordinated binding production with BindTech to match durability and premium finish expectations
- Managed cross-partner production communication to keep details aligned and on schedule
- Protected design and storytelling intent through disciplined production oversight
- Delivered a finished piece designed for longevity, display, and repeat use as a sample
What We Delivered
O’Neil produced both hardcover and softcover editions, working closely with BindTech to ensure the binding quality matched the content. Premium Sappi McCoy paper was selected to support the photography captured by Wonderkind Studios, creating a tactile, intentional reading experience.
From paper selection to press execution and binding coordination, O’Neil managed production details with care so the finished book reflected the craftsmanship of the subject matter and the collaborators behind it.
Results and Impact
National Industry Recognition
The book became a national sample for Sappi’s McCoy line, used as a benchmark for print excellence.
Multiple Awards Won
The project earned numerous design and print awards recognizing craftsmanship and collaboration.
Ongoing Demand and Visibility
The book continues to be a sought-after sample admired for materials and execution.
The book featured gold foil title on the spine as well as a wooden inlay and embossed icons on the hardcover version.
The softcover version, used as a national Sappi sample.
In the Client’s Words
“Everyone loves a good story, and this book certainly has one. What first began as a coffee table book about Kentucky bourbon was soon distilled into a book featuring our family’s distillery. A passion project met pure passion when these two stories collided.”
Britt Kulsveen
President and Chief Whiskey Officer, Willett Distillery
Why O’Neil
The Simply Bourbon project is a testament to collaboration and disciplined craftsmanship. O’Neil’s Publications and Books expertise, paired with the creative vision of Rule29 and the artistry of each partner, resulted in a piece that elevated everyone involved. It is also a clear expression of the O’Neil Platform: the kind of connected execution that protects details, timelines, and quality from start to finish.
Let’s Create Something Worth Holding
If your story deserves craftsmanship, care, and lasting impact, we’d love to help bring it to life.