LACASSINE, LA –Bayou Rum Distillery, the largest private rum distillery in the U.S., was recently honored with a 2016 Louey Award from the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (LTPA). The Louisiana-based distillery was named Attraction of the Year, solidifying its position as a premier travel destination in the Gulf South.
“We started the distillery so that tourists and fans could see firsthand how we make Bayou Rum and we chose our location just off of I-10 so that they’d have no trouble finding us,” said Trey Litel, president of Bayou Rum. “This recognition is a credit to the phenomenal team who work hard every day to provide what we believe is the best visitor experience in our industry.
In addition to a state-of-the-art distillery, the 36,000 square-foot Bayou Rum property in Lacassine, Louisiana features a visitor center and gallery celebrating the state’s historic role as a sugar cane producer and rum distiller, a 109-year-old farmhouse, a tasting bar and a gift shop.
“Bayou Rum ties in the history of growing sugar cane in Louisiana, along with a stellar, free tour that includes a tasting of their award-winning rum. With their location along Interstate 10, it is another great attraction the Jeff Davis Tourist Commission and the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau promote that adds to the specialty craft spirit market,” said Shelley Johnson, executive director of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Founded in 2011 by brothers Tim and Trey Litel, alongside longtime friend Skip Cortese, Bayou Rum is handcrafted in traditional copper pot stills using fresh Louisiana sugarcane. The award-winning flavor has been recognized 72 times in tasting competitions across the globe. In January of 2016, New York-based Stoli Group USA became the exclusive national distributor of the award-winning Bayou Rum and its family of America’s Rum.
The LTPA is dedicated to leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry, and the annual Louey Awards acknowledge individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the state’s tourism business.
“It is our privilege to honor those in Louisiana’s tourism industry who work diligently every day to showcase our great culture to the rest of the world,” said Darienne Mobley, LTPA co-executive director. “Their work attracted 28.7 million visitors to Louisiana in 2014 and resulted in $11.2 billion in visitor spending, stimulating the economy of the entire state.”
For more information and to make a tour reservation, visit www.bayourum.com/distillery.