Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting

Roulaison Distilling Co gives you a close look at rum making in a small New Orleans distillery, far from the French Quarter crowds. Owner and rum maker Andrew often leads the visit, explaining everything from sugarcane and fermentation to aging and bottling, then pouring five samples, including special releases.

I like the direct access to the people making the rum, and I like that the tasting is built into the $15 price rather than treated as an extra. The main drawback is the location: it is off the usual sightseeing route, and the entrance can be tricky to spot. The tour is also short, so it suits a focused introduction more than a long distillery outing.

Key points at a glance

• Five pours included: Taste a flight of Roulaison rums, including distillery-only or limited-release bottles when available.
• Owner-led instruction: Andrew and other staff explain the process in plain language and make time for questions.
• Small groups: The maximum group size is eight, which gives the visit a personal feel and lets you see the equipment up close.
• One-hour format: This is an easy side trip before lunch, dinner, or another New Orleans activity.
• Off the main tourist path: Plan on a rideshare or other local transportation from the French Quarter, and look for the business at the back of the property.
• Adults only: The tour and tastings are for ages 21 and older.

A personal look at New Orleans rum making

The best reason to book this tour is the scale. Roulaison is small enough that you are not peering at distant machinery behind a barrier. You get close to the actual working setup and hear how a local producer handles each stage of rum production.

That smaller setting also changes the conversation. A large commercial tour often follows a fixed script. Here, Andrew can answer questions, explain why Roulaison uses its methods, and compare its approach with more common modern rum production. You are not simply shown a tank and sent along. You get the reasoning behind the process.

The tour connects rum to New Orleans and the Caribbean, two places with long ties to sugarcane, trade, cocktails, and distilled spirits. That context adds meaning to the tasting. You are learning not only what is in your glass, but why rum developed as it did and how a New Orleans producer adapts those traditions.

I especially like the focus on making rather than marketing. The experience is about fermentation, distillation, aging, flavor, and packaging. If you are curious about craft spirits, this gives you useful background without asking you to commit half a day.

What happens inside Roulaison Distilling Co

The visit lasts about an hour and takes place at 2727 South Broad Avenue, Suite 103. The activity begins and ends at the distillery, with no private transportation included.

The first challenge is finding the entrance. The business is in a less obvious spot, and some visitors have arrived at the property and initially thought the distillery was closed. Look toward the back and down the alley rather than relying only on the most visible storefront or street-facing sign.

Once you are in the right place, the mood is informal. The group size is capped at eight, so this is not a packed production-line tour. You can expect a close look at the equipment and a chance to ask questions as the guide explains the process.

The tour covers the path from raw ingredients to finished rum. The exact order and emphasis can vary, but the main value is seeing how each step affects the final spirit. Andrew is part owner and involved in the operation, which means his explanations come from direct experience rather than general tasting notes.

You also get a useful comparison between Roulaison’s methods and typical modern rum production. That point matters because rum can vary widely. A light rum, a barrel-aged rum, and a flavored or liqueur-style product may share a base spirit while tasting completely different. The tour gives you a framework for noticing those differences.

The five-rum flight is the main event

The tasting includes five rum samples, and the pours are part of the admission price. That makes the $15 charge easy to understand: you receive both the short tour and a proper flight rather than paying separately for each taste.

The selection can include lighter rums, barrel-aged expressions, and limited or distillery-exclusive releases. Some past tasting experiences have included around six samples, but the stated flight is five, so plan on five pours rather than expecting an expanded lineup.

The strength is worth taking seriously. These are proper spirit samples, not weak cocktail portions. Eat before you arrive, drink water, and pace yourself. One useful tip is to avoid scheduling the tour on an empty stomach simply because the tasting looks small on paper.

This is also a good place to ask questions while you taste. Ask how the flavor changes with aging, what gives one bottle more sweetness or spice, or how a flavored product is made. The guide’s explanations help turn tasting into a learning exercise instead of a quick round of drinks.

The chocolate rum liqueur has been a favorite for some visitors, while others prefer the barrel-aged bottles or limited releases. Your own favorite may depend on how you usually drink spirits. If you mostly choose cocktails, the lighter styles may be easier to appreciate. If you like sipping whiskey or aged brandy, the barrel-aged options may hold more interest.

You can buy bottles and other products after the tour, sometimes with a discount connected to the visit. If you are flying, remember to consider airline and luggage rules before buying. A bottle makes a useful souvenir only if you can transport it legally and safely.

Why the small group improves the visit

A group limit of eight is one of the strongest practical features here. In a small room, a large crowd would make the tour feel cramped and make questions difficult. With fewer people, you can hear the guide and get a better look at the production equipment.

The format is also a good match for people who dislike highly polished tours. The conversation can be personal and flexible. Andrew has been described as easy to talk with, patient, and willing to explain details. Other staff members may lead the tasting, and the same friendly, informal approach is part of the experience.

That does not mean every visit will feel identical. A small owner-operated business can be less predictable than a major attraction. The benefit is access and personality. The tradeoff is that the setting is compact, and the tour may feel modest if you have visited a large industrial distillery.

I would choose this experience for someone who values contact with the maker over grand architecture or elaborate displays. It is especially good for couples, friends, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a one-hour activity with a strong local connection.

Getting there from the French Quarter

Roulaison is not in the center of the French Quarter, so include transport time in your plan. Rideshare services such as Lyft or Uber have worked well for visitors making the trip from the tourist core, and the location is near public transportation.

The off-route location is both a drawback and part of the appeal. You will not simply step out of a French Quarter bar and wander into the distillery. You need to make a short trip, check the address carefully, and allow enough time to find the entrance.

Arriving early can be useful. One nearby business in the same parking area serves mead and cider, offering a place to wait before the rum tour. That is optional, not part of the Roulaison activity, but it can make an early arrival more pleasant.

Do not plan to drive yourself if you intend to taste all five pours. The tour is for people age 21 and older, and the samples are strong enough that a rideshare makes good sense. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you can arrange a return ride from the same location.

How the $15 price holds up

At $15 per person, this is one of the easier New Orleans activities to fit into a day. You receive an approximately one-hour guided tour plus five alcoholic samples. There is no separate tasting fee to worry about.

The value is strongest if you enjoy spirits or want to understand how rum is produced. A person who has no interest in rum may find the visit too specialized, although the owner-led explanations and the range of samples can make the subject more approachable.

The price also reflects the modest scale. You are not paying for a grand visitor center, a long historical presentation, or a large collection of exhibits. You are paying for access to a working small business, a personal guide, and a tasting flight.

I would compare it with the cost of a couple of cocktails in New Orleans. For roughly the price of one drink at a busy bar, you get instruction and several samples. That is a strong deal, provided you are comfortable spending part of your day outside the French Quarter.

Useful tips before you book

Eat first. Several samples of full-strength rum can catch you off guard, even when the pours look small. Water and a real meal will make the experience more comfortable.

Arrive with the address saved on your phone. The entrance is not always obvious, and the distillery is toward the back of the property. If you are using a rideshare, confirm that you are being dropped at the correct suite rather than only at the general street address.

Leave room in your schedule for questions. The formal tour lasts about an hour, but the best part may be the conversation around the equipment, methods, and bottles. If you have a particular interest in sugarcane, barrel aging, or flavored rum, bring it up.

Think about your return trip before the tasting begins. Private transportation is not included, and the combination of a less central location and five strong samples makes planning worthwhile.

Finally, check the weather forecast. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this rum tour

I would recommend Roulaison to anyone who likes small producers, craft spirits, and direct conversation with the person making the product. It is also a smart choice for a first-time rum drinker who wants a guided introduction rather than a bar tasting with little explanation.

It suits a couple looking for a short activity, a group of friends sharing an interest in spirits, or a solo visitor who enjoys asking questions. The five-sample format gives you enough range to learn something without taking over your whole afternoon.

It may not suit you if you want a large facility, theatrical presentation, extensive exhibits, or a long tour. The room is compact, the location takes effort to reach, and the tasting is potent. If you prefer a gentle, non-alcoholic activity, this is clearly the wrong choice.

The strongest part is the human element. Andrew and the other staff make the production feel understandable and close at hand. You leave with a better idea of how rum is made, how styles differ, and which bottle you might want to take home.

Should you book Roulaison Distilling Co?

Book it if you want a personal, owner-led rum experience and can spare about an hour outside the French Quarter. At $15, the tour and five samples offer very good value, especially for anyone who enjoys craft alcohol or wants a more local side of New Orleans.

Skip it if you are seeking a grand distillery or dislike strong spirits. For everyone else, arrange a rideshare, eat beforehand, look carefully for the entrance, and leave enough time to enjoy the conversation. The small scale is not a weakness here. It is the reason the tour feels direct, useful, and distinctly personal.

FAQ

How long does the Roulaison Distilling Co tour last?

The guided tour and rum tasting take approximately one hour.

How many rum samples are included?

The tasting includes five rum samples. These may include distillery-exclusive or limited-release bottles.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Roulaison Distilling Co, 2727 S Broad Ave, Suite 103, New Orleans, Louisiana 70125. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. The distillery is near public transportation, and rideshare services can be used to reach it.

Are children allowed on the tour?

The tour and tastings are for people age 21 and older.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.