Page 143 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2016

has a colorful past. The Kiln’s history dates back more than a hundred years ago when a lumber yard and saw mill were established. The little town was named Kiln because of the large kiln used to dry lumber. This town was frequented by popular criminals such as Al Capone, Lester Joseph Gillis, George ‘Babyface’ Nelson, ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd and the infamous Bonnie and Clyde. Even though prohibition was in effect, that never stopped those Southern boys from bootlegging moonshine up and down the Pearl River. That just shows you can’t stop good old Southern hospitality.
By bringing a bourbon distillery
to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Matt and John plan to open a market
that has not existed in the South. They also look forward to making other liquors that will bring a personalized regional touch. The only drawback with the distillery’s opening is that we have to wait four years for the opportunity to taste the first sip of bourbon from South Mississippi’s humble little town, Kiln.
ABOVE LEFT:
John and Matt Crittenden at the still working on their magic concoction. ABOVE LEFT: The new tower bourbon still that is being installed in May. BELOW LEFT: John working the corn field. BELOW RIGHT: Copper still.
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March 2016 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 143