In the heart of Mississippi, where the air hangs heavy with heat and humidity, Cathead Distillery has been crafting something special for over a decade. As the state's first legal distillery since Prohibition, it's built a reputation on patience and passion, letting barrels of bourbon mature slowly under conditions that would test any spirit. Now, with the release of their latest Tintype Series, they're not just pouring out whiskey—they're serving up a slice of Southern soul, blending the raw energy of blues legends with the deep, complex flavors that only time and terroir can create. For those who appreciate a good story in their glass, this series hits all the right notes.
The Tintype Series started back in 2021, drawing inspiration from the gritty, authentic world of Mississippi blues. Each bottle pays homage to a musician whose life and sound echo the region's rugged history. It's more than marketing; it's a way to keep traditions alive, supporting groups like Music Maker and the Hill Country Picnic that preserve this cultural heartbeat. “When we launched the Tintype Series in 2021, the goal was to bottle a piece of the South’s musical history and honor Mississippi’s blues roots,” said Richard Patrick, co-founder of Cathead Distillery. “Each year’s release lets us celebrate these artists and their stories, along with the organizations we support, from Music Maker to Hill Country Picnic.”
Image credit: Cathead Distillery
This year's standout is Tintype #3, dedicated to Kenny Brown, a Hill Country blues guitarist whose slide work has kept the genre's fire burning for generations. Brown, with his deep roots in the North Mississippi Allstars and collaborations with legends like R.L. Burnside, represents that unfiltered, straight-from-the-soul style that defines the blues. Cathead mirrors that authenticity in the bourbon itself: a mash bill of 60 percent corn, 36 percent rye, and 4 percent malted barley, aged for a full 11 years in those sweltering warehouses. Bottled at cask strength—103.5 proof—without any cutting or filtering, it's a bold pour that demands respect.
Sip it neat, and you'll understand why the distillery calls it a revelation. The nose pulls you in with hints of banana-nut bread, like something fresh from a family oven on a lazy Sunday. On the palate, it unfolds into buttery baked bread, mingled with toasted pecans that add a nutty crunch in your mind's eye. Warm baking spices linger on the finish, wrapping everything in a comforting glow that's perfect for evenings on the porch or sharing stories around a fire pit. It's the kind of bourbon that makes you pause, reflect on where it came from—the relentless Mississippi summers accelerating the aging process, pulling out flavors that cooler climates might never coax from the wood.
But Kenny Brown isn't flying solo this year. The series brings back two favorites, each with their own twist on the Old Soul Bourbon lineup. Tintype #1 honors Captain Luke, a bluesman whose tales of life on the road feel as timeless as the spirit itself. This 2025 edition has spent more than seven years in the barrel, emerging at a hefty 121.8 proof. It's no surprise it snagged Double Platinum and Best Bourbon honors at the 2025 ASCOT Awards—accolades that speak to its quality without needing hype. The tasting profile is a campfire dream: toasted marshmallow blending with charred oak, giving way to caramel popcorn sweetness that sticks around. The finish? Smoky and caramelized, like the last embers of a good night fading into dawn.
Then there's Tintype #2, celebrating Hermon Hitson, a living legend in Southern soul and R&B whose guitar riffs have influenced countless artists. This is its third annual run, with the bourbon aged over nine years and bottled at 110.1 proof. High-rye content shines through, delivering a profile that's both familiar and intriguing. Imagine biting into Fig Newtons, that fruity chewiness paired with caramelized brown sugar. Creamy vanilla smooths it out, leading to a softly grainy finish that hangs on just long enough to make you reach for another pour. It's approachable yet layered, much like Hitson's music—easy to enjoy on the surface, but rewarding when you dig deeper.
What ties all three together is Cathead's unwavering approach to aging. Mississippi's climate isn't forgiving; the extreme heat and humidity force the bourbon to interact intensely with the oak, extracting tannins and compounds faster than in milder spots like Kentucky. The result? Bourbons that taste older than their years, with a depth that whispers of the Delta's own resilience. Limited to fewer than 30 barrels per release, these aren't mass-produced sippers—they're collector's items, meant for those who savor the hunt for something rare.
Availability adds to the allure. The 2025 Tintype Series hits shelves this month, with options for nationwide online shipping through trusted spots like Cellar.com and Seelbach’s. If you're in the South or Midwest, check local retailers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Texas. Whether you're building a home bar or seeking a gift that tells a story, these expressions offer more than just a buzz—they connect you to a lineage of music and craftsmanship that's as American as it gets.
In a world where trends come and go, Cathead's Tintype Series stands as a reminder of what endures: the blues' raw honesty, the slow art of distillation, and the simple pleasure of a well-aged dram. It's bourbon with a backstory, inviting you to pour, listen, and let the South speak for itself.
