Thomasville’s 1861 Distillery will host pop-up film screening, bourbon tasting

Special to the Tallahassee Democrat

Tallahassee Democrat

 

The 12th annual Covey Film Festival’s slate of regular screenings wrapped up Jan. 29, but a unique, separately ticketed pop-up event is set for Thursday, Feb. 1, at Thomasville, Georgia’s, local independent distillery.

Hosted by 1861 Distillery, the event features a screening of the film “Neat: The Story of Bourbon,” along with dinner and a bourbon tasting, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the ongoing educational and enrichment programs of the Thomasville Community Resource Center.

Tickets are $100 per person, which includes the screening, a barbecue sandwich dinner and a tasting of locally produced bourbons, led by Freddie Johnson – a legend of the industry who appears in the film “Neat” — and Brian Higgins of 1861 Distillery, as well as several commemorative takeaways.

“Neat: The Story of Bourbon” dives into the rich and storied world of the whiskey, exploring and celebrating the history, charismatic characters and unique process of America’s only native spirit.

Johnson, a third-generation employee at Buffalo Trace Distillery, is a 2018 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee. Born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and raised in Frankfurt, he spent his early years at Buffalo Trace with his father and grandfather. After a successful career in engineering, Freddie left it all to fulfill a promise he made to his father over 20 years ago, returning to Buffalo Trace to work there, creating a sentimental connection to his family’s legacy.

Seating is limited for the signature event, which takes place at 1861 Distillery’s 314 Smith Avenue location, and advanced tickets are required. More information and tickets are available at coveyfilmfestival.org.

Since its inception, Covey Film Festival has raised well over $100,000 to help fund educational and enrichment programs at TCRC, which now serves more than 500 children, their families and the community in multiple locations in Thomas, Brooks, Grady and Mitchell counties. The Thomasville Community Resource Center seeks to empower youth and families through alternative community based programs, built on a foundation of prevention, education and preparation.