The Bourbon Trail and American Whiskey Trail are bonafide destinations for spirits connoisseurs worldwide, as both constitute a cocktail of fascinating production facility visits, spirits tastings and American history. However, members of The Louisiana Distillers Guild now blaze their own trail.

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Louisiana’s rum production history originated in the late 17^th century, thanks to the arrival of French immigrants who also saw success cultivating tobacco. It was soon discovered the high humidity, damp soil and sultry summertime climate was also well suited for sugarcane production. This, in turn, begat the production of molasses, and later, the distillation of rum.

Although early rum production dried up with the arrival of Prohibition (and was controversial given the old distilleries’ ties to slavery), a new generation of craft distillers are not only reviving rum production, but also bringing innovation and craft sensibilities to their distillates. In and near New Orleans, one will find Atelier Vie, Seven Three Distilling, Lula Restaurant and Distillery, Porch Jam, Borasso, Roulaison and New Orleans Distillers. The Baton Rouge area (a.k.a. “Cajun Country”) is home to Oxbow Rum Distillery, Sugarfield Spirits and Noel Family Distillery. Wildcat Brothers is an hour west of Lafayette.

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“Louisiana is one of the few environments in the country that has the right climate for sugarcane farming as well as the largest region for growing sugarcane,” said Andrew Lohfeld, co-founder and head distiller, Roulaison Distilling Co.

“This means we have a unique opportunity to do something to set ourselves apart from rums produced in other areas of the U.S. Our cane industry is well situated to promote a diverse array of rum producers. Furthermore, New Orleans and the Mississippi River have all been major focal points for some of the most pivotal moments of our nation’s history. When visiting the area, you experience just how deeply ensconced that sense of latent importance is prevalent in all things.”

Given the trail is an outgrowth of the U.S. small distilleries boom starting about 20 years ago, it is sure not to disappoint, as the distillery owners are addressing the demand for higher quality products and rums with distinctive flavors and ingredient combinations.

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“The rum trail/libations trail and our distillery launched at about the same time,” said Thomas Soltau, head distiller and principle owner, Sugarfields Spirits. “We have grown over the past four years as has the trail. The recent burgeoning rum manufacturers in the state are making Louisiana the nation’s destination for rum, as it produces more sugar and molasses than any other state in the United States.”

Olivia Stewart, president, Oxbow Distillery notes her decision to take over her family’s recently opened rum distillery continues a legacy dating back to the 19^th century, where her ancestors farmed sugarcane, “What we’re doing is intrinsically tied to the land and the people that work so hard to farm in,” said Stewart. “The developing rum trail also encourages people to venture out from New Orleans and see more rural parts of the state.”

To learn more about distillery tours and related activities in Southern Louisiana, visit the Louisiana Libations page at Explore Louisiana’s website.