Oakford Reserves Playing Cards

Aged in Tradition. Crafted for the Collector

There are some things you simply can't rush.

A great bourbon takes time. It begins with carefully chosen ingredients, passes through the hands of skilled craftsmen, and spends years resting quietly inside charred oak before it's finally ready to be poured.

Oakford Reserve was created with that same philosophy.

THE STORY

Oakford Reserve is a fully custom collection of playing cards built around the people, places, and traditions that shaped the distilling industry. From weathered rickhouses and copper stills to handwritten labels, barrel stamps, bootleggers, master distillers, and the families who built their names one barrel at a time, every detail draws from a world where craftsmanship meant something.

LATEST NEWS

The story of Oakford Reserves doesn’t end with the first pour. As the campaign reaches new funding milestones, I’ll reveal stretch goals that add more to the collection and I'll post the latest news.

9/29/2026 Tuesday 8:30am - Oakford Trading Pin Unlocked

9/25/2026 Friday 9:30am - Update #1: Funded—and Three Stretch Goals Unlocked!

9/23/2026 10:00pm - Inside Tuckbox Printing Unlocked

9/22/2026 4:41pm - CONGRATS EVERYONE!! Oakford Reserves will be made because of your help. Thank you all! What's Next? Check out the STRETCH GOALS that I just posted. Sure to make this project even better.

STRETCH GOALS:

Each edition of Oakford Reserve is designed as a collectible object from the tuck box to the cards inside, combining premium papers, metallic finishes, foil, embossing, custom seals, and carefully considered details inspired by vintage whiskey packaging and American distilling heritage.

DISTILLERS House Select

House Select Tuck Features:

The foundation of the Oakford Reserve collection. The Distiller’s Classic Edition combines fully custom artwork with rich metallic details and a timeless black presentation.

• Fully Custom Deck: Includes 56 poker-sized cards, each completely custom and hand-illustrated to bring the Oakford Reserve story to life.
• The Tuck Box: Crafted from premium black paper and covered in ornate, whiskey-inspired artwork.
• Premium Finish: Metallic PMS inks, sculpted embossing, and hot-stamped foil add depth, texture, and shine to the tuck.
• Metallic Card Faces: Metallic PMS inks elevate the custom Courts, Jokers, Aces, and numbered cards with refined details throughout.
• Made for Collectors: A classic, display-worthy edition built for collectors who appreciate original artwork and exceptional craftsmanship.

DISTILLERS Heritage Limited

Heritage Limited Tuck Features:

A richer expression of the Oakford Reserve collection. The Distiller’s Limited Edition pairs fully custom artwork with brilliant cold foil and a deep green, display-worthy presentation.

• Fully Custom Deck: Includes 56 poker-sized cards, each completely custom and hand-illustrated to bring the Oakford Reserve story to life.
• The Tuck Box: Crafted from premium green metallic paper and covered in ornate, whiskey-inspired artwork.
• Premium Finish: Metallic PMS inks, sculpted embossing, and hot-stamped foil give the tuck box exceptional depth, texture, and shine.
• Cold-Foiled Cards: Cold foil is applied to both sides of every card, creating reflective metallic details across the custom faces and card backs.
• Individually Numbered: Finished with a custom numbered seal, making each deck a distinct collector’s piece.

DISTILLERS Founders Select

Founders Select Tuck Features:

The crown jewel of the Oakford Reserve collection. The Distiller’s Premium Edition combines fully custom artwork, brilliant cold foil, and green-gilded edges in a rare, refined presentation.

• Fully Custom Deck: Includes 56 poker-sized cards, each completely custom and hand-illustrated to bring the Oakford Reserve story to life.
• The Tuck Box: Crafted from premium copper metallic paper and covered in ornate, whiskey-inspired artwork.
• Premium Finish: Metallic PMS inks, sculpted embossing, and hot-stamped foil give the tuck exceptional depth, texture, and shine.
• Cold-Foiled Cards: Cold foil is applied to both sides of every card, creating reflective metallic details across the custom faces and card backs.
• Green-Gilded Edges: Every card is finished with striking blue-green foil edges, giving the deck a bold flash of color when stacked.
• Individually Numbered: Finished with a custom numbered seal, making every deck a distinct collector’s piece.

✧ Ornate Backs

CLASSIC CARD BACK The Classic Edition features an ornate, vintage-inspired back design printed with rich green and copper metallic inks. Twin barrel medallions, intricate filigree, and Oakford monograms capture the character of an old bourbon label—refined, detailed, and rooted in American whiskey tradition.  

LIMITED CARD BACK The Limited Edition elevates the same intricate design with brilliant cold-foil accents. The metallic details catch the light across the medallions, borders, and ornamental scrollwork, giving every card a brighter finish and unmistakable collector presence.  

PREMIUM CARD BACK The Premium Edition pairs the full cold-foil back design with striking emerald-green gilded edges. From the reflective detailing to the rich metallic edge treatment, every element is designed to make this the definitive collector’s edition of Oakford Reserve.

✧ Custom Faces

Face Card Features:

Every card is fully custom and hand-illustrated, bringing the world of Oakford Reserve to life through refined details and Prohibition-era character.

• The Courts: A cast of founders, master distillers, bootleggers, and outlaws—each with a distinct personality and role in the Oakford Reserve story.
• The Jokers: Both Jokers feature the Distiller—a rugged craftsman carrying a whiskey barrel and the hard-earned legacy of Oakford Reserve.
• The Aces: Oversized, ornate suit designs blend classic playing-card tradition with intricate, whiskey-inspired details.
• Cold Foil: Applied to both sides of every card, creating brilliant metallic accents that catch the light and elevate the hand-illustrated artwork.

DISTILLERS Legacy Set

Legacy Set Features:

For collectors who refuse to choose just one. The Distiller’s Legacy Set brings together all three editions of Oakford Reserve in one formidable display piece.

• The Complete Trilogy: Includes the Classic Edition, Limited Edition, and Premium Gilded Edition—three distinct expressions of the Oakford Reserve story.
• Collector’s Box: Built from heavyweight 1200gsm board and designed to securely house all three decks.
• Premium Finish: Soft-touch matte lamination is elevated with spot gold foil and embossed details across both the interior and exterior.
• Magnetic Closure: A flip-top magnetic lid delivers a secure closure and a refined presentation.
• Individually Numbered: Finished with a custom numbered seal, making every Distiller’s Legacy Set a true collector’s piece.

STRETCH GOALS

The story of Oakford Reserves doesn’t end with the first pour. As the campaign reaches new funding milestones, I’ll reveal stretch goals that add more to the collection.

Every pledge helps bring the next goal within reach. Keep an eye on this section as the campaign grows—I’ll update it with each new reveal and let you know when a goal is unlocked.

Raise a glass. There’s more to come.

✧ About Me

I’m Jody Eklund, an illustrator, graphic designer, and founder of Black Ink Branded. Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I create premium playing cards that combine detailed illustration, immersive storytelling, and thoughtful production.

Every Black Ink deck begins with a strong concept. From legendary rulers and ancient warriors to pirates, sirens, and forgotten folklore, each project is designed as a complete visual world. The tuck case, card backs, courts, aces, and Jokers all work together to tell one cohesive story.

Over the years, I have created decks including Sovereign, Dominion, Eminence, Luminosity, Reign of Kings, Sirens of the Sea, and Blood & Brine: Widow’s Wake. Many were brought to life through successful Kickstarter campaigns and the support of collectors around the world.

The goal is simple: to create playing cards that feel as memorable in the hand as they look on display.

✧ Partnerships

Boschiero & Newton, a long history founded on solid roots, this family of craftsmen proudly guarantees the nobility of graphic arts and traditional printing. The passion for ancient machines created by ingenuity of the craftsmen is combined with the most advanced technologies to create individually unique pieces of fine art. Boschiero and Newton are known worldwide for their expertise in tuck box and letterpress printing for the playing card industry. 

WJPC, one of the leading playing card manufacturers in the world since 2006, uses advanced and innovative printing technology to deliver some of the highest quality cards on the market today. Many of the top playing card producers in the world rely on WJPC for their attention to detail, innovative printing techniques, and their environmentally friendly production. WJPC has been a pioneer in socially responsible printing and uses inks, paper, and packaging that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

✧ Follow

Subscribe & never miss a deck. Be the first to get the official drop on my latest decks and releases by email.

FOLLOW ME on Instagram or Facebook for playing card updates and behind-the-scenes goings on with me at Black Ink Branded.