What if a bourbon tasting became a mystery you could read—and sip through?
Bourbon Brothers blends real bottles, real tasting notes, and a high-stakes bourbon hunt into a premium hardcover fiction experience.
“A must-read for bourbon lovers." —@kingbourbonpress, bourbon writer
- Stewardship in Every Page: 10% of profits are donated directly to the Medicinal Whiskey Charity, which has raised and given over $2.4 million to children's causes.
- Heirloom Quality: This is not a mass-market paperback. It is a premium, bar-top hardcover designed to be displayed, gifted, and kept for generations.
- The Missing Piece: For the collector who already has every bottle… this is the bourbon story they don't have.
- A Visual Tasting Vault: Includes 40+ full-color photos of iconic "dusty" bottles and pours from the world's most coveted collections.
- Bourbon Wisdom: Curated tasting notes and stories from industry experts, collectors, and connoisseurs.
- A Collector's Dream: Signed by the author, this limited edition is a must-have for anyone serious about bourbon.
A bourbon-tasting adventure novel rooted in real culture and cause
This story is the product of a ten-year odyssey—a meticulous archive of hand-captured bottle photography and tasting notes that evolved from a 2019 screenplay into a legacy book. It was pieced together with the patience of my lovely wife, who wisely insisted that every book sold is simply more fuel for the next rare bottle in the collection. BIN!
This premium dusty archive adventure novel is available exclusively here, direct from the author.
To preserve the quality of the 30+ high-res dusty bottle photos and notes, no Kindle or paperback versions exist. 🥃
Real readers are saying
“I finished the book! I really enjoyed the mystery of it and how the characters revealed more and more pieces by the end.”
— Danielle (@coffeeblackwhiskeyneat), bourbon writer (47K followers)
"I had such a great time following the adventure that my only disappointment was that the story had to inevitably end.”— @kingbourbonpress, bourbon writer
“National Treasure meets The Hangover... in bourbon country.”
— J. Motley, writer (Substack)
Not Just a novel
From the Author & Designer
"As a die-hard dusty bourbon collector and co-founder/whiskey historian for the Medicinal Whiskey Charity (MWC), I’ve spent the last ten years documenting the stories behind the world’s most iconic bottles. After helping raise over $2.4M for children’s charities through the bourbon community, I realized that the history of this spirit isn't just in the glass—it's in the people and the provenance. I designed this book with the same obsession I bring to designing bottle labels and sifting aged sweet dusty bourbon... it had to be authentic, it had to be visceral, and it had to mean something. When you add this Bourbon Brothers experience to your library or next-level whiskey shelf, you aren't just getting a book; you're supporting the continued preservation of whiskey heritage and the charitable spirit that defines our community."
— John McKillop Co-Founder, MWC | Whiskey Historian | Designer
P.S. see my "Dusty Funk" design just above, woven into the book's mystery.
Real Culture and Cause
Discover the fiction novel that introduces readers to the real bottles, culture, and mission behind the Medicinal Whiskey Charity—inspiring curiosity, stewardship, and awareness long after the last page.
THE STORY...
“Pulled into a whiskey-soaked treasure hunt, a small-town bourbon group must crack a generations-old family mystery, survive blind-tasting trials, and rediscover how family pours from the heart.”
While the story itself is a fictional, exaggerated mystery, the bottles, labels, and charitable mission at its core are real. This book serves as narrative provenance — documenting the culture and bottles that helped inspire a charity that has raised over $2.4 million for children’s causes across the South.
(One for the shelf, one to share)
Let customers speak for us
Haven’t had the chance to read it yet but just gave my bestie his personalized copy yesterday for his birthday.
Love the concept and look forward to reading but haven’t had a chance to dive into the novel. I will share the personal message withthe signed author signature was a nice touch along with the contact business cards. I would love a series of stories with new product line launches in heritage where legacy is built
Started reading with a nice glass of bourbon and it is an easy, enjoyable read.
A read every bourbon aficionado has to become acquainted with. Very enjoyable!
Really excited about this fun bourbon mystery as a gift for my husband. It’s such a great concept and I’m excited to support it!
Hi John,
I just finished your book and truly enjoyed the suspenseful mystery thriller of chasing bourbon, blind tasting challenges and rekindling past and new friendships. There is something special with sharing bourbons on those certain occasions. And, you have definitely peeked my interest with some of the unicorn bourbons you mentioned...especially the pours sewed in the gangsters jacket. I will definitely encourage fellow bourbon lovers to get a copy. I saw that it was originally for screenplay - could totally see that! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
This book feels like something totally new. Part bourbon, part adventure, part treasure hunt, part photo guide. Really love the direction and originality here
What a wonderful book to give our son who collects Bourbon . I know he will enjoy hours of such a collection. We live in Greenville and appreciate you talents in writing
Kathy Williams
This is a great book, and I highly recommend it! I really enjoyed reading Bourbon Brothers and found it to be a page turner as I became invested in the characters and the mystery. I really got to know the characters, and the mystery had me guessing until the end. I also enjoyed learning about the world of bourbon tasting which I didn’t know anything about before. This would be a great book both for people who love bourbon and for people who know nothing but enjoy a great story. I hope he writes a sequel!
This is a wonderful book for anyone who loves bourbon, and particularly for those who love its history, or would like to know more about iconic old pours. McKillop does an amazing job of weaving this into story of brotherhood and friendship, and as everyone knows that is the best part of a bourbon pour. Enjoy this book and share it with your friends.
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my dad. This book is basically a two for one where you get a novel and also a bunch of color photos of whiskey tasting notes. Great gift!
A great story and you will learn a lot about bourbon. I want a curated edition with bourbon samples!
I love this idea - I’m gifting it to all the bourbon lovers in my life. Thank you!
Cool old vintage bottle pics plus tasting notes plus road-trip mystery. Fun combo!
Fiction on the Page.
Real Bottles Behind It.
While the story itself is a fictional, exaggerated mystery, the bottles, labels, and charitable mission at its core are real.
This book serves as narrative provenance—documenting the culture, bottles, and tasting traditions that helped inspire a charity that has raised over $2.4 million for children’s causes across the South.
Nothing here claims literal history.
Everything here reflects lived bourbon culture, preserved and recorded.
Peek inside the book:
Why This Isn’t Just Another Bourbon Novel
Read the story. Discover the bottles. Learn the charity behind them.
A collectible novel that doesn’t just sit on a shelf—it sends readers down the rabbit hole.
Owning the book helps the story—and the culture—travel further.
Fiction on the page. Real impact beyond it.
An Immersive Bourbon Experience
Bourbon Brothers isn’t just a story—it’s an experience.
It blends the thrill of a treasure hunt with the culture, chaos, and camaraderie bourbon drinkers know well. Throughout the mystery, readers encounter full-color bottle photography, tasting notes, and challenges woven directly into the narrative—creating what many readers describe as a tasting vault in book form.
This is a novel designed to be read, revisited, and discussed—often with a glass nearby.
“Pulled into a whiskey-soaked treasure hunt, a small-town bourbon group must crack a generations-old family mystery, survive blind-tasting trials, and rediscover how family pours from the heart.”
This Book Is for You If…
• You’ve ever studied a dusty bottle and wondered who tasted it first
• You care where bourbon culture is going—not just where it’s been
• You enjoy tasting notes, bottle lore, and inside-baseball references
• You value objects that carry meaning, not mass production
Crafted for bourbon people, by bourbon people.
A Mystery Hidden in the Bourbon World
When three friends stumble into an underground bourbon tasting competition—the legendary Twenty-One Guns—they’re pulled into a race across Kentucky distilleries, decoding tasting notes, tracking bottles, and trying not to wreck their lives in the process.
Each trial reveals a new bourbon.
Each bourbon reveals a new clue.
A secret someone doesn’t want found.
Fun. Chaotic. Bourbon-soaked.
OTHER EDITIONS: (All FREE SHIPPING)
"Motor-Oil" Edition — Premium Hardcover
$59
The same story and bottle culture in a streamlined presentation.
A full-color hardcover designed for reading, sharing, and repeat visits.
Includes:
• Full-color photography throughout
• Narrative chapters with tasting notes
• Hardcover binding
• Ideal entry point into the Bourbon Brothers universe
"Double-Pour" 2x discounted bundle
$99
Motor Oil Edition — 2x
Get the story. Share with a friend.
👉 Two Book Bundle
Honey Barrel Stewardship Edition — Signed & Expanded
$95
10% profits go to our Medicinal Whiskey Charity, given 2.3 million so far for children's causes across the U.S. South.
This is the flagship collector edition for readers who want to go deeper.
Signed, expanded, and designed to feel like opening a special-release bottle.
👉 Learn More about the signed Stewardship Edition, AKA the "Honey-Barrel"
Where the Story Goes After the Last Page
The Medicinal Whiskey Charity grew out of the same bourbon culture documented in this book.
To date, it has raised over $2.4 million for children’s causes across the Southern United States.
This book does not function as a donation mechanism.
It documents the origin, preserves the culture, and extends awareness of a mission rooted in stewardship.
That distinction matters.
Some Stories Are Meant to Be Kept.
Limited print runs. No mass distribution.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this fiction?
Yes — a comedic adventure novel written by longtime bourbon enthusiast John McKillop.
Is it a good gift?
Absolutely. A clean, fun, high-quality hardcover made for bourbon lovers.
Is it in stock?
Yes — Honey Barrel Edition ships within 24 hours.
Is this a collector’s item?
Yes. Includes color photography, tasting notes, and a premium hardcover build.
Is this available at Amazon or other stores?
No, Bourbon Brothers was intentionally released as a single, premium edition and is not available in any other format or retailer.
