Whiskey Thief

Project Goals

Create a digital menu experience that:

• •Reflects the premium, craft nature of the distillery
• •Provides easy navigation between bourbon, cocktail, and food menus
• •Works seamlessly across mobile devices via QR code access
• •Enhances the on-site experience without replacing personal service

Research & Discovery

The project began with understanding the unique challenges of the distillery environment. Site visits revealed several key insights:

• •Ambient lighting conditions vary significantly, requiring high contrast interfaces
• •Guests often browse menus in groups, necessitating readable text at various viewing angles
• •Staff needed to quickly point guests to specific items without taking devices from them
• •The bourbon selection included tasting notes and heritage stories that guests wanted to explore

Design Approach

The design balances elegance with functionality, using rich imagery and intuitive navigation to guide users through the menu offerings. The visual language draws from Kentucky bourbon culture—warm amber tones, aged wood textures, and typography that evokes traditional distillery signage while maintaining modern readability.

User Experience

The navigation system was designed around natural user flows observed during research:

• •Quick access to bourbon flights for newcomers exploring the selection
• •Detailed tasting profiles for connoisseurs wanting to understand each expression
• •Cocktail menu with ingredient breakdowns and pairing suggestions
• •Food menu organized by pairing recommendations with specific bourbons
• •One-tap access to call server for ordering without leaving the app

Technical Considerations

The platform was optimized for the specific constraints of in-venue mobile usage:

• •Progressive loading ensures fast initial render even on slower connections
• •Dark mode default reduces glare in the dimly lit tasting room
• •Large touch targets accommodate users who may be holding drinks
• •Offline caching allows browsing even in areas with poor cellular reception

Results & Impact

The digital menu transformed the tasting room experience by giving guests control over their exploration while freeing staff to provide more personalized service. The storytelling elements around each bourbon's heritage increased guest engagement with premium offerings, and the integrated pairing suggestions drove higher food attachment rates.