Are You
21 Years Old?
Welcome to Cathead
What's a
Cathead?

Sip of the South
Mississippi repealed prohibition in 1966, the last state to do so. Forty four years later, lifelong friends and blues fans founded Cathead Distillery. Cathead is proud to be the first and oldest distillery in the state of Mississippi.
Find Locations
- About Us
- Meet Our Distiller
Back To Home
About Our Distillery
FIRST LEGAL DISTILLERY IN MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi outlawed alcohol in 1907 and, in 1966, became the last state to repeal prohibition. Fast forward 104 years and two fine gents, Austin Evans and Richard Patrick, fired up the state’s first legal still. Along with a passion for fine spirits, these gents have a thirst for Mississippi’s live music, folk art and writings. When the boys aren’t making hooch, you might spot ‘em at a juke joint, soaking up inspiration for their next batch of goodness from Cathead.
PHILANTHROPY
BLUES music started in Mississippi, an important piece of our American DNA and simply the roots of modern day music that has influenced pop, jazz, rock & roll, hip-hop and basically everything. By all means possible, we align ourselves with foundations who support live music, genuine arts and southern culture.
Foundation Partners:
Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (YAC) Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA) Music Makers Relief Foundation (MMRF) North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic Magic City Blues Society New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation (NOMAF)
Meet Our Distiller
PHILLIP LADNER
PHILLIP LADNER is our distiller for all products made at CATHEAD DISTILLERY. Phillip is a Mississippi native from the Gulf Coast town of Long Beach. Mr Ladner is a graduate of University of Mississippi and has spent over the last decade in the wine and spirits industry. Post college Phillip went to work for Bacchus Wine (NY). While in the retail trade Phillip developed a passion for the products he sold and decided his career path take a turn to production. Phillip decided to move to New Zealand and work with Spy Valley to get his feet wet crushing grapes, then moved to Napa where he met a wealth of contacts. Phillip worked his way up the ladder from first landing a job with Lewis Cellars and then to assistant winemaker at Pahlmeyer in Oakville, CA. An opportunity once again became present when he was offered a job with Stillwater Spirits (ADI’s epicenter) in Petaluma, CA where Phillip has been instrumental in American Distilling Institute (ADI). ADI is a trade group led by Bill Owens who specializes in craft spirits production and start up distilleries domestic and internationally. Phillip now resides in Madison, MS with his wife Angie Galle Ladner and two children Lily Grace and Judah Blue.
Our Distillery
