Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting

Roulaison Distilling Co gives you an unusually close look at rum making. This is a small working distillery, not a grand visitor center, and owner Andrew often leads the hour himself. You’ll see the equipment up close, hear how sugarcane becomes rum, and taste five pours, including special releases when available.

I like the owner-led format and the fact that the tasting is built into the $15 price. I also like the small group, capped at eight, which leaves room for real questions instead of a rehearsed speech. The main drawback is its location away from the French Quarter, with an entrance that can be easy to miss.

Key points at a glance

• Five rum samples included: Taste a range of Roulaison products, including barrel-aged and limited-release bottles when available.
• A small working distillery: The compact setting lets you see the process at close range, though it lacks the scale of a large industrial tour.
• Andrew often leads the visit: As a co-owner and rum maker, he can explain both the craft and the business behind each bottle.
• One hour, maximum eight people: This is a focused stop, not an all-day outing, and the small group keeps the conversation personal.
• Bring food and water: Several pours are strong, and the tasting can feel more generous than its short schedule suggests.
• Allow time to find the entrance: Roulaison is at 2727 S Broad Ave, Suite 103, and the business is located toward the back of the property.

A close look inside Roulaison Distilling Co

The tour begins at Roulaison Distilling Co, at 2727 S Broad Ave, Suite 103, in New Orleans. The address is straightforward, but the business can be tucked away from your first glance. A few people have found the entrance difficult to spot, especially when arriving from the main street, so give yourself a little extra time.

This is a small operation. That matters. You will not be walking through a huge factory with rows of gleaming tanks and a large crowd moving from station to station. Instead, you get a closer look at the equipment and a more direct conversation about how the rum is made.

The compact size is part of the appeal. You can ask a question and get an answer aimed at your interests. If you want a polished, theatrical tour with lots of production machinery, this may feel modest. If you want to see a local producer at work and understand the choices behind the bottles, the setting works well.

The group limit is eight people, which keeps the visit personal without requiring a fully private booking. The tour is offered in English and lasts about one hour, including the tasting.

Andrew’s story of sugarcane, rum, and New Orleans

Andrew, one of the co-owners, is frequently the guide. He explains the process from start to finish, including the role of sugarcane and the ways Roulaison’s method differs from much modern rum production.

That last point gives the tour some substance. You are not simply shown a bottle and told that it tastes good. You learn how the distillery connects rum to New Orleans and the Caribbean, then how those traditions influence the choices made inside this particular facility.

The history portion is useful because it gives the tasting a framework. Rum is closely tied to sugarcane, trade, agriculture, and the Caribbean, while New Orleans has long been shaped by those connections. Roulaison uses that background to explain why rum belongs in this city and how its approach fits into the wider world of rum making.

Andrew’s role as both owner and working distiller also changes the tone. He can discuss the product with the enthusiasm of someone who is directly involved in making it, not simply presenting a company script. You can ask about the production stages, flavor differences, packaging, or the reason one bottle is handled differently from another.

The best use of your time is to ask questions. The tour is short, so the guide cannot cover every detail at length. A curious group will get more from it than a group that simply waits for the next pour.

Five pours, from lighter rum to special releases

The tasting flight includes five rum samples. The exact selection may change, but the range can include lighter rums, barrel-aged expressions, liqueurs, and distillery-exclusive or limited-release bottlings.

This is where the $15 price earns its keep. You are not paying separately at each stage, and the tasting is not a token sip at the end. The samples are a central part of the visit, with explanations along the way about what you are tasting and how the products differ.

Some visitors have tasted about six samples during their visit, but the advertised flight is five. Treat the fifth pour as the reliable expectation, with any extra sample a bonus rather than something to count on.

The pours are strong. That sounds obvious for rum, but it is worth taking seriously if you have several other tastings, cocktails, or late-night plans on your schedule. Eat before you arrive, drink water, and pace yourself. The tasting is short, but the alcohol is not necessarily light.

The range helps people who think they do not like rum. You might prefer a lighter spirit, a barrel-aged style with more depth, or a sweet chocolate rum liqueur. One especially popular style mentioned by attendees is the chocolate rum liqueur, which can appeal to people who normally pass on straight rum.

You can also taste limited or special-release bottles when they are available. These pours are valuable because they show you something beyond the regular lineup and give the tour a sense of place and time. Availability can change, so do not book expecting a specific release unless the distillery confirms it.

Why the small scale works, and where it does not

Roulaison is best understood as a craft production space rather than a major attraction. Its size lets you get close to the stages of rum making, but it also means there may be less to see than at a large distillery with multiple buildings and elaborate displays.

I like the tradeoff. The tour feels personal, and the guide can spend more time answering questions. You may see the equipment used in actual production rather than decorative machinery installed for a visitor route.

The possible downside is that the tour may feel brief if you have visited several large distilleries. The whole program lasts roughly an hour, and the tasting takes up part of that time. You should choose it for access, conversation, and flavor, not for a long museum-style presentation.

The personal format also depends on the guide and the group. Andrew has been praised for being friendly, patient, and enthusiastic, while another host may lead the tour on a different date. The basic setup remains the same, but the conversation can naturally change with the questions people bring.

For a couple, a solo visitor, or a small group of friends, the format is easy to enjoy. It is also a good choice if you want one focused activity between meals and other New Orleans plans.

The $15 price and what you receive

At $15 per person, this is an affordable specialty tasting. You receive the guided distillery visit and five alcoholic samples. There is no separate tasting fee to calculate at the end.

That price is especially fair if you value access to the maker. You are paying for the explanation, the setting, and the chance to compare several rums, not just for a single drink. The small group adds value because you have a better chance to ask questions without shouting across a crowded room.

You can also purchase bottles and other products after the tour. Some visitors have received a discount at the time of purchase, but discounts are not specified as a guaranteed part of the package. If you plan to take rum home, check your airline and destination rules before buying.

The tour can also lead to useful local advice. Andrew has offered restaurant suggestions to some visitors, including recommendations for food and cocktails away from the usual tourist route. Treat that as a pleasant extra, not a promised feature of every visit.

Getting there from the French Quarter

Roulaison is not in the heart of the French Quarter. You will likely need a rideshare or another form of private transportation, and transportation is not included in the $15 price.

A Lyft or Uber has worked well for people making the trip. The ride takes you away from the most familiar tourist streets, which is part of the point, but you need to plan the return as well. Do not assume you can simply walk back to the Quarter after the tasting.

The address is 2727 S Broad Ave, Suite 103. The business is toward the back, and the entrance can be confusing because the distillery may not be obvious from the street. Check the directions before you leave and look for the suite rather than expecting a large storefront.

If you arrive early, there is a place in the same parking area where you may be able to enjoy mead or cider while waiting. That is a useful option, but it should not replace a meal. The distillery itself does not include food with the tour, and the alcohol arrives quickly.

How to plan the tasting safely

Eat before you go. This is the single most useful tip for enjoying the visit. The tasting includes five pours, and the spirits can be strong even when each serving looks small.

Water also helps. You will get more from the explanations if you are alert and comfortable rather than rushing through the samples. If you are driving, arrange transportation before the first pour.

The activity and tastings are for people age 21 and older. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted, so keep the cutoff in mind when arranging rides and dinner plans.

Who will enjoy this New Orleans rum tour

I would choose this for anyone who enjoys craft spirits, local business stories, or small-group activities. It works particularly well for couples and friends who want a break from the French Quarter without giving up a distinctly New Orleans subject.

It is also a good choice for someone who says they do not like rum. The five-sample format gives you a chance to compare styles instead of judging the whole category from one sweet cocktail. The chocolate rum liqueur and lighter expressions may be more approachable than a powerful barrel-aged pour.

The tour is less suitable if you want a full meal, a long visit, or a large-scale production show. It is also not ideal for a group that dislikes strong spirits or does not want to arrange transportation away from the central tourist area.

Families with anyone under 21 should plan another activity, since the tour and tastings are limited to people 21 and older. Larger groups should also note the maximum of eight participants.

Should you book the Roulaison tour?

Book it if you want direct access to a small rum maker, five included samples, and a clear look at how sugarcane, distilling, aging, and flavor choices come together. The $15 cost is low for an owner-led tasting, and the short schedule fits neatly into a day of New Orleans sightseeing.

Skip it if your main goal is a grand distillery building or a long formal tour. Roulaison is compact, a little hard to find, and reached most easily by rideshare. Those are real limitations, but they also help create the close, conversational setting that makes this stop worthwhile.

My practical plan would be simple: eat first, arrange a Lyft or Uber, arrive early enough to find the back entrance, and bring questions. If you enjoy the tasting, leave room in your luggage for a bottle, subject to your travel rules.

FAQ

How long does the Roulaison Distilling Co tour last?

The guided tour and tasting take approximately one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $15 per person.

How many rums are included?

Five rum samples are included in the tasting flight. Special-release bottlings may be included when available.

Is the tasting included in the tour price?

Yes. The package includes five alcoholic rum samples, so you do not pay separately for the tasting.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It 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 away from the French Quarter, and rideshare services such as Lyft or Uber can be used to reach it.

What is the maximum group size?

The activity allows a maximum of eight participants.

Do you have to be 21 to join?

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

Can you cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.