Local Louisiana Written by Steven Seim
S
ugarcane production is a crucial part of the economic
Photos Courtesy of Louisiana Spirits LLC
many hurdles, legal and otherwise. Like many, they had trouble
history of Louisiana. Bayou Rum, from Louisiana Spirits
with zoning, fire codes, TTB concerns, local utilities, besides
in Lacassine, hopes to honor that tradition by becoming a part of
actually planning on how to make the best distillery they could.
it. Taking locally sourced Louisiana sugar, the ownership team of
But positive conversations with local sugar producers and future
Trey Litel, Tim Litel and Skip Cortese produce an entire portfolio
fans helped maintain their enthusiasm, which still carries them
of rum products that they hope will come to be known as some
on today. Trey said that throughout the process they kept in
of the country’s finest. Trey took time to share the story of their
mind one saying: “Rum is the answer,” and that motto has taken
goal of preserving Louisiana’s sugarcane history through their
on a life of its own among their community and fans of this
rum, the people who helped them get started, and the advice he
historic product.
has for other distilleries.
Despite the impediments over 4,000 people visited the
Trey worked at Bacardi before deciding, with the help of Skip
distillery on its opening day November 16, 2013. Skip and Trey
and Tim, to start their own distillery. Louisiana Spirits is one of
gave 33 total tours to groups numbering 40 to 50 people each.
the first craft distilleries in Louisiana, which Trey told us meant
They offered sample cocktails, a BBQ dinner, local musicians,
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