BOOTLEGGERS

The year is 1928, and prohibition has choked the heart out of bourbon country. 

Across Kentucky’s backroads, secret stills hum in hidden hollows, and the sweet scent of mash lingers in the fog. 

You play as Reed Walker, a young mechanic whose grandfather “Pappy Walker” once distilled the smoothest bourbon east of the Mississippi. Pappy’s memory is fading fast, and before he goes, he wants you to recreate his secret bourbon recipe — a blend of corn, rye, malted barley, and wheat — “the four grains of truth,” as he calls them. 

The problem? The government has outlawed distilling, and the mafia, led by Alonzo “Big Al” Capone, has gotten word that Pappy’s recipe could make them millions. To make things worse, federal agent Clarence Holloway is tightening his grip on moonshine country, hunting down stills and road-runners alike. 

With your beat-up 1930 Ford truck, you and your ragtag crew hit the open road — trading, bartering, and dodging the law to gather the ingredients before it’s too late. Along the way you’ll face broken axles, roadblocks, mafia ambushes, and sticky-fingered gas station attendants — but you’ll also pick up loyal friends who share your love for bourbon and freedom. 

Your mission: Collect the four grains. Recreate Pappy’s bourbon. Outrun the feds. Outsmart the mafia. 

Because in Bootleggers, every drop of whiskey tells a story — and yours is about to be legendary.

SYNOPSIS

Set during the height of Prohibition, Bootleggers follows a group of small-town friends on a road trip through Kentucky to recreate Pappy’s lost bourbon recipe before he passes away. 

Players collect ingredients — corn, rye, malted barley, and wheat — while balancing resources like gas money, car repairs, and time. Along the way, you encounter police raids, mafia ambushes, and moral choices that shape the outcome of your brew. 

Different combinations of grains create unique “recipes” (multiball modes or scoring bonuses), while selling ingredients can help you escape jams or fund your journey. But beware — every sale or shortcut risks drawing the attention of Capone’s men or the law.

CHARACTERS

THE CREW

Reed Walker – The Mechanic / Player Character 

A clever, stubborn Kentuckian who can fix almost anything with wire and whiskey. He’s determined to honor his grandfather’s legacy, even if it means skirting the law. 

  • Signature line: “If it’s broke, we’ll fix it. If it ain’t broke, we’ll make it faster.” 

Pappy Walker – The Mentor 

A legend of the backwoods stills, now in failing health. His memory of the perfect bourbon recipe fades by the day — unless you can bring him the right ingredients in time. 

  • Signature line: “Ain’t about the drink, boy — it’s about the story behind it.” 

Mabel Harlan – The Hustler 

Sharp-tongued and quick-witted, she runs a speakeasy out of the back of her diner. Helps fund your journey and smooth-talks your way past lawmen. 

  • Signature line: “Smiles are free, sugar. But favors? Those’ll cost ya.” 

Tommy “Trigger” McCoy – The Driver 

Former bootleg courier, fast with a steering wheel and faster with a shotgun. Brings the action to the car chase and lock modes. 

  • Signature line: “Floor it, or they’ll floor us!” 

“Doc” Wallace – The Tinkerer 

An eccentric chemist fascinated with distilling science. Helps optimize mash ratios and powers special scoring modes related to purity or fermentation. 

  • Signature line: “The key to good bourbon? Science and sin, in equal measure.”

CHARACTERS

ADVERSARIES

THE MAFIA

Alonzo “Big Al” Capone – The Kingpin 

The mastermind who wants Pappy’s recipe for his Chicago operation. Rarely seen, but his influence is everywhere. 

  • Boss Mode: “Capone’s Men” multiball (after collecting all 4 grains). 

Cooter McGee – Capone’s Enforcer 

Ruthless and sloppy. Loves baseball bats and hates Kentucky boys. 

  • Mode: Barrel ambush or “Car Chase Multiball.” 

  • Signature line: “You can’t outrun the family, kid!” 

Franky “Two-Drips” Martelli – The Fixer 

A smooth-talking middleman who poses as a friend, then double-crosses the team. 

  • Mode: “Double Cross Hurry-Up.” 

THE FEDS

Agent Clarence Holloway – The Prohibition Agent 

Clean-cut, relentless, and secretly sympathetic — but bound by duty. 

  • Mode: “Roadblock Multiball” or “Still Raid.” 

  • Signature line: “You can’t bottle freedom, son. Step aside.” 

Deputy Earl Boone – The Local Sheriff 

Willing to look the other way — for a price. 

  • Mode: “Payoff Hurry-Up.” 

  • Signature line: “The law’s what I say it is… for the right cut.”