New Orleans, Louisiana

Established in 1995, Celebration Distillation is the oldest continuously operating rum distillery in the continental US. Just a 15 minute drive from the French Quarter, this distillery produces several expressions under the Old New Orleans Rum brand as well as Gingeroo (a rum and ginger based ready-to-drink bottled cocktail) and Gris Gris (a cayenne rum liqueur). It is owned by renowned local artist James Michalopoulos, whose artwork is featured on some of the bottles.  

The distillery was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and was under eight feet of water for ten days.  The high watermark from the flood is still visible on one of the wood beams inside the distillery.  Fortunately most of the older rum stocks were stored on elevated shelves and escaped damage, but 15% of the rum was lost due to the storm. The historic building survived relatively unscathed and the distillery was able to reopen to the public one year after the storm.

Old New Orleans Rum is produced using local Louisiana sugar cane molasses which is fermented and then fed into one of two large, custom-built pot stills. The Crystal and 121 Proof rums are made from the unaged base spirit.  The Amber rum is aged in ex-bourbon barrels for three to seven years and blended to achieve a consistent flavor profile.  Their most unique expression is the Cajun Spice rum, which is infused with a blend of authentic Cajun spices such as cinnamon, chicory, and cayenne, that are seeped into the rum over a period of 4 - 6 weeks.  Other limited edition expressions include the King Creole, a 20th anniversary edition which is a blend of aged rums (including some from pre-Katrina stocks), and the 1718 Tricentennial Blend, which celebrates the city's milestone with rum soaked in cherry staves and finished in ex-Maderia casks that once held Verdehlo grapes.

Located just steps from the French Quarter, Seven Three Distilling Co. is a craft spirits distiller that pays homage to the city of New Orleans.  The name "Seven Three" is a reference to New Orleans' 73 neighborhoods and each of their spirits is named after one of those neighborhoods.  Founded in 2016, the distillery began by producing vodka, gin, moonshine, and whiskey, then released their much anticipated Black Pearl Rum in 2019.

Named for a dockside neighborhood on the Mississippi River (and not for that famous pirate ship), Black Pearl Rum is distilled in a unique double pot and single column still configuration from local Louisiana sugar cane molasses.  At 85 proof, this unaged expression is full of flavor, most notably ripe banana, fresh sugar cane, and a hint of mixed berries.  The distillery is also beginning to age some of their rum so we may see a barrel-aged expression in the next few years.

The tasting room features the gorgeous Tremé Alchemy Bar which highlights each of their expressions in craft cocktails.  Special events, including movie nights, are held here occasionally and they offer two-for-one drinks during happy hour.  And since this is New Orleans, they also have drinks available to-go! Did we mention we love this city?