Channel Islands Distillery faced a decade-long brand stagnation that left them irrelevant in a craft spirits market that had evolved dramatically since 2012. Their lack of e-commerce capabilities meant they were missing the direct-to-consumer revolution that competitors had capitalized on. We excavated the brand's authentic story—the bootleg rum history of the Ventura Coast—and paired it with sophisticated nautical design elements that feel both heritage and contemporary.
By building a Shopify-powered e-commerce platform and creating striking product photography that heroes this narrative, we transformed a forgotten distillery into a brand ready to compete in today's premium spirits market.
The Channel Islands Distillery rebrand proves that dormant brands often have untold stories more compelling than anything manufactured. By authentically connecting to the Ventura Coast's bootlegging heritage rather than inventing a narrative, we created a foundation strong enough to support both regional pride and broader market appeal.
Sometimes the best strategy isn't creating something new—it's rediscovering what was always there.
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(2016-25©)
