By Shanderia K. Posey
Editor
It’s been a whirlwind week for Cathead Distillery owners Austin Evans, 35, and Richard Patrick, 32.
On Dec. 8, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially welcome Mississippi’s first legal distillery, located at 422 South Farish St., to the capital city. A grand opening was held last Saturday.
And the fun continues today when tours of the distillery become available to the public starting at 3 p.m. Tours will also be available on Fridays at 3 p.m. and at 11 a.m. on Saturdays. Guests can enjoy a bar full of local beers, the retail shop and a game of corn hole while visiting. Upon request, private group tours are available.
Evans and Patrick wanted to offer the tours, which last about 30 minutes, for a variety of reasons.
For one thing, people can see the production process in the distillery and get a better understanding of the craft, according to Evans. Patrick pointed out that the distillery combines agricultural and tourism, so it falls in the category of agritourism.
“We really want the distillery to be more of a destination spot to families,” Patrick said, noting that booster seats and high chairs are on hand. Having the tours “provides people with a stronger connection to the brand.”
Before Cathead Distillery’s recent move to Jackson, the facility was located in a rural part of Madison for five years where the owners say they were kind of crammed for space with 7,000 square feet. The Jackson location has 20,000 square feet to make multiple spirits, including Cathead Vodka, Cathead Honeysuckle, Cathead Pecan, Bristow Gin, Bristow Reserve Gin and Hoodoo Chicory Liqueur. The move provides Cathead the ability to distill other spirits, including whiskey.
Patrick and Evans admittedly have selfish reasons for the relocation as well. They are both Jackson residents. Evans is a Jackson native. They both like the amenities Jackson offers, particularly in the heart of downtown.
The co-founders of Cathead Distillery met in college while bartending and developed an appreciation for the business. They learned about the industry, specifically details on restaurants, bars, catering, and manufacturing, before deciding to venture out and start their own business.
Cathead Distillery is a part of Mississippi’s growing creative economy – the state’s cultural and creative enterprises. It was important to Evans and Patrick to include an philanthropic side to the business as well. Depending on where a person lives, a portion of every 750 ml bottle purchased of the original Cathead vodka goes to a local foundation to assist musicians.
The term “Cathead” is a compliment in Mississippi, first coined by blues musicians as a nod to artists they respect. Mississippi artists and musicians went on to use “Cathead” in many forms of folk art, as a way to pay the rent and share their legacies.
“We both appreciate a lot of music, especially live music,” Patrick said.
Several years ago while living in Charleston, S.C., Evans invited Patrick to a blues festival in the Mississippi Delta. “It opened up a whole new world of music to me, blues music specifically,” said Patrick, who at that time was not familiar to the blues.
The future looks bright for a company that’s relatively young, but neither Patrick nor Evans describe what they have accomplished as success as of yet. They reserve the term “success” for companies that have completed their life cycle – something that can be looked back on.
Instead, they strive to keep their business growing.
“We have a long way to go,” Evans said.
For more information about Cathead Distillery, visit www.catheaddistillery.com.
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