Bayou Rum
Brief Overview of the Distillery
Bayou Rum is located in Lacassine, Louisiana, and is a craft rum distillery that combines locally grown sugarcane with pot distillation in copper stills. Started as an idea in 2011 and opened in 2013, the distillery focuses on artisanal production, internal bottling, and aging primarily in bourbon barrels. The venue offers tours, tastings, and an event center.
History
The idea for Bayou Rum took shape in 2011, when three childhood friends wanted to bring premium rum back to Louisiana's sugarcane plains. In 2013, Bayou® Rum Distillery in Lacassine opened and began producing rum artisanally from fermentation to bottling, with a blend of traditional techniques and modern technology. Reiniel Vicente Diaz joined as Master Blender & Product Manager in 2013 and is responsible for raw material selection, fermentation, distillation, aging, and blending. The distillery positions itself as a leading American craft rum producer with a focus on local roots and craftsmanship.
Raw Materials and Production
The raw material is locally grown sugarcane from southern Louisiana, and the molasses comes from the oldest family-owned sugar refinery in the USA. Each batch is produced artisanally and distilled in copper pot stills. The distillery conducts internal bottling and describes the production as pot-distilled and naturally gluten-free. The Master Blender oversees the entire process, but technical details such as fermentation time, number of stills, and number of distillations are not specified.
Maturation and Cask Types
Bayou Rum is aged primarily in bourbon barrels. There are no fixed age statements on the products, but aging and bottling are done internally, which makes bourbon barrels the primary aging strategy mentioned by the distillery.
Rum Range
The core range includes Bayou White Rum, Bayou Spiced Rum, Bayou Reserve Rum, and Bayou Mardi Gras XO Rum. The products are presented as a family of rums, highlighted by the common elements of locally grown sugarcane, pot distillation, internal bottling, and aging in bourbon barrels. In addition to bottles, the site also operates tours, tastings, and an event center for private events.
| Rum | Type / Series | Cask and Style | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayou White Rum | Rum | Bourbon cask | Current; Core Range |
| Bayou Spiced Rum | Rum | Bourbon cask | Current; Core Range |
| Bayou Reserve Rum | Rum | Bourbon cask | Current; Core Range |
| Bayou Mardi Gras XO Rum | Rum | Bourbon cask | Current; Core Range |
Visiting the Distillery
The distillery is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Monday and Sunday are closed. Guided tours and tastings are offered; participants in tastings must be at least 21 years old, and children must be accompanied by adults. Tastings outside the planned tours cost $5 and usually do not require booking. Guided tours can be booked via the distillery's booking function.
The stated opening hours are Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm; Monday & Sunday: Closed.
See hours and book a visit.
Philosophy and Craft
Bayou Rum works to revive the USA's rum tradition by using locally grown sugarcane and combining traditional methods with modern technology. The production is handcrafted from fermentation to bottling, with a focus on local roots, quality, and an internal approach to aging and bottling. The Master Blender's role emphasizes a focus on craftsmanship and consistency.
Awards and Recognitions
- #1 Craft Rum in America