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Step inside New Orleans’ Old Alker Distillery for The Distiller’s Tour—an exclusive look at the art of bourbon and spirit-making led by the Master Distiller. Discover historic craft and taste aged barrels in this intimate 45-minute experience.
Step inside New Orleans’ Old Alker Distillery for The Distiller’s Tour—an exclusive look at the art of bourbon and spirit-making led by the Master Distiller. Discover historic craft and taste aged barrels in this intimate 45-minute experience.
Book with The Old Alker Distillery
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Operated by The Old Alker Distillery · New Orleans, Louisiana
Located at 8304 Oak St in New Orleans, Louisiana, The Old Alker Distillery offers an immersive dive into the craft of spirit making with its signature experience, The Distiller's Tour. This isn’t a typical tourist stop tucked away downtown; it’s a working distillery where seven generations of family skill converge with contemporary techniques to produce spirits rooted deeply in history. Situated in a city famed for its rich culture and vibrant nightlife, The Old Alker Distillery stands out by inviting visitors to witness the raw, fascinating process of distillation firsthand.
Guided personally by the Master Distiller, guests embark on a 40 to 50-minute walk through the fermentation vats, copper stills, and aging warehouses that hold barrels of bourbon and other spirits. What sets this tour apart is the behind-the-scenes access to the production floor and barrel rooms rarely open to the public. Here, you’ll gain an understanding of how sourcing, timing, and aging influence flavors — knowledge usually reserved for connoisseurs.
The tasting session offers curated samples, including a standout 7-year-old Bourbon, drawn directly from select barrels within the rickhouse. This intimate group setting encourages questions and stories, enriching the flavor profiles with a narrative of craftsmanship and family legacy dating back to the 1800s.
For adventurers looking to experience New Orleans beyond its street festivals and jazz clubs, The Old Alker Distillery provides a grounded, sensory-rich journey celebrating local heritage and artisanal expertise. It marries the city’s historic roots with an authentic taste of southern distilling culture. Whether you’re a spirit lover or curious traveler, this tour offers a memorable, educational encounter with a distinctly New Orleans craft tradition.
easy.
40–50 minutes.
Suitable for all physical levels; primarily walking on flat surfaces
Yes, all participants must be at least 21 years old to partake in the tasting portion.
The tour lasts approximately 40 to 50 minutes, including the guided tasting session.
The Old Alker Distillery is wheelchair accessible, with flat floors and accessible facilities.
Photography is allowed, but it’s encouraged to keep phone use to a minimum to respect the guided experience.
Reservations are strongly recommended as the tours are small-group and limited in size.
Guests sample a curated selection, including a notable 7-year-old Bourbon and other aged spirits unique to Old Alker.
Old Alker Distillery traces its roots to the 1800s, originating from a cooperage on Tchoupitoulas Street, reflecting New Orleans' rich tradition in artisanal spirits.
The distillery emphasizes sustainable sourcing and waste reduction throughout production to maintain environmental responsibility within the local ecosystem.
The Old Alker Distillery in New Orleans, Louisiana, preserves a multigenerational family legacy of spirit-making that dates back to the 1800s. Located in the heart of the city, The Old Alker Distillery offers guided experiences that reveal the techniques behind small-batch spirits. The Distillery Tour and Tasting is a 45-minute behind-the-scenes walkthrough with an exclusive tasting of three distinct spirits; this experience is designed for guests aged 21 and over. The Distiller's Tour is an elevated, intimate experience led by the Master Distiller, covering fermentation, distillation, barrel aging, and a curated tasting that includes a 7-year-old Bourbon. Both experiences emphasize craft, transparency, and education without sacrificing flavor. Visitors gain firsthand exposure to equipment, production stages, and the sensory cues distillers use to evaluate spirits. The Old Alker Distillery operates as a place for both casual visitors and serious enthusiasts seeking deeper knowledge of traditional and modern methods. Safety and legal compliance are maintained for all tastings and tours; guests must be 21 or older to participate in sampling. The Distillery's staff explains provenance, aging, and tasting notes while preserving family stories that link present-day production to 1800s origins. For travelers to New Orleans seeking authentic craft spirits and an informative, well-paced tour, The Old Alker Distillery provides a credible, educational outing that highlights regional distilling traditions and a notable 7-year-old Bourbon in its tasting lineup. Advance reservations are recommended during weekends and local festival dates to secure space on popular tours and tastings. Bottles are offered for sale on site daily.
Book with The Old Alker Distillery