Smugglers' Notch Distillery (SND) is an award-winning, family-grown craft spirits producer located at the base of Vermont's historic Smugglers' Notch mountain pass. Founded in 2006, the distillery draws its name and inspiration from the legendary smuggling route once used to transport goods during trade embargoes and Prohibition.
SND began as a father-and-son dream, with early bottling lines manned by family and friends. Since then, the company has grown into a regional powerhouse with a 10-acre production facility in Jeffersonville and four tasting rooms across Vermont - in Burlington, Waterbury/Stowe, Manchester, and their flagship location. Along the way, their spirits have earned national acclaim, including Double Gold awards for both vodka and maple cream liqueurs, as well as a full line of bourbons, gins, rums, and flavored creations.
Smugglers' Notch Distillery holds a special place in our story as well: they were Four Nine Design's very first client, and we've proudly partnered with them since their founding in 2006.
As our very first client, Smugglers' Notch Distillery has been a trusted partner since 2006. Over nearly two decades, we've helped evolve and maintain their brand identity across print, packaging, and digital platforms. Most recently, we designed and developed a new Shopify-powered website that builds on that foundation, aligning with the brand standards we've helped shape over the past 19 years.
The new website was designed to deliver an immersive, intuitive user experience that balances commerce with storytelling. Every aspect of the UI/UX was thoughtfully crafted to reflect the rugged, refined character of the brand, from lifestyle photography and product presentation to typography and color palette. We also directed a custom photo shoot to visually highlight their award-winning spirits, the Jeffersonville distillery, and their four tasting room locations across Vermont.
Functionally, the site integrates Shopify e-commerce features to support online sales within state liquor regulations - a complex challenge we navigated through careful planning and collaboration. The result is a seamless shopping experience that also connects visitors to the Smugglers’ Notch story, their team, and their physical locations.
Built with SEO in mind, the site is structured to boost discoverability while supporting ongoing digital marketing efforts. It positions Smugglers' Notch Distillery for continued growth - both online and on the shelf.
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