A new rum distillery under construction along Interstate 10 in Lacassine will manufacture 200 gallons of rum a day and feature a rum-tasting bar with samples.
The stretch of I-10 near Lacassine will be a bit more spirited by the end of the year when Louisiana Spirits, a new rum distillery under construction in Jeff Davis Parish, is slated to open for rum production and guided tours.
According to The (Lake Charles) American Press, the $5 million facility will begin rum production by the fall with a goal of 200 gallons a day, making use of local resources like raw Louisiana sugar and molasses for its rum recipe.
A photo from the Louisiana Spirits website features two molasses tanks
that will be used in local rum production.
The company's president, Trey Litel, says by the end of the year the distillery should be ready to start offering guided tours and "adults-only" tasting at the rum bar, a move that's sure to lure in interstate travelers:
"It will take time to build up the demand, but we know Louisiana can produce a homegrown, world-class rum and we can do that, and we need to be ready to do that," Litel said.
Louisiana Spirits also plans to work with an area farmer to grow about five acres of sugar cane on the east side of the property.
"There are a lot of vodkas, tequilas and whiskey, but there is only a handful of rum," he said. "Louisiana produces more sugar cane than anyone, yet Puerto Rico produces the most rum. We want to change that."
Citing data from the Beverage Information Group, the Lake Charles paper reports that Louisiana residents consume more than 300,000 cases of rum annually.
Check out the Louisiana Spirits website for more info on the new venture.
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