BOOZE THEATER - NEAT: THE STORY OF BOURBON (Review)

BOOZE THEATER – NEAT: THE STORY OF BOURBON (Review)

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Released in 2018 to record breaking crowds and world wide critical acclaim, Neat: The Story of Bourbon, took home 10 Academy Awards the following year and cemented itself securely in the pantheon of cinematic glory. Wow! If only that were true. Instead we get movies chosen by “the Academy” that are heavy on agenda and short on real substance and providing something of value in our lives (*the values and thoughts expressed by the writer are entirely his own, and do not reflect those with inferior opinions…haha. Relax folks, it’s just a joke) All kidding aside, Neat: The Story of Bourbon is a highly entertaining film and is very watchable, even for those with just a passing interest in the liquid amber of the gods

At a little over an hour, Neat: The Story of Bourbon, moves at a pace that keeps the viewer both interested and entertained. Focusing on both the history and current state of the industry, it features (and rightly so) the personalities of Freddy Johnson, a 3rd generation icon at Buffalo Trace Distillery and Marianne Barnes (Marianne Eaves now) the trailblazing distiller/blender, back when she was part of the team getting Castle & Key off the ground. Comedic actor Steve Zahn serves as the master of ceremonies with random interludes throughout

Buffalo Trace Icon Freddy Johnson

The film kicks off in the Kentucky countryside, and in less than 4 minutes, tells us what’s important about bourbon and why it’s such an iconic drink and symbol of America. But thankfully it doesn’t end there (whew) For the next 1 hour and 11 or so minutes, we are treated to the historical timeline of bourbon, the rules behind making bourbon (an they are strict), and various other tidbits of “bourbon lore”. All of this is interspersed with personal stories of various unknown (for the most part) personalities within the Kentucky bourbon world. This particular structure works very well for this type of documentary, as it keeps the flow fresh and the interest high. Wanna know when bourbon was discovered? It’s in here. How about how to make bourbon? Of course. But some questions remain unanswered. Like who first put bourbon in barrels? Is Bourbon Street in New Orleans named after the liquid or vice versa…hmmm

There will always be a mystery and mystique about bourbon< Such as…how does a corn-based liquid, put into a barrel for 4 years, come out tasting so different from one distiller to the next? Why does one person smell caramel and the next mint? These questions may never be answered, but with Neat: The Story of Bourbon, at least you’ll get the basics in an engaging and entertaining film. So pour yourself a glass and sit back, cause this is going to be a terrific ride. Cheers!

An excellent film that has garnered 4.8 glasses out of 5

Currently Neat: The Story of Bourbon is available on the Tubi app or it can be purchased on Amazon Neat: The Story of Bourbon

NEAT: THE STORY OF BOURBON (TRAILER)