Oxbow Rum Distillery sits in downtown Baton Rouge on St. Philip Street, bringing Caribbean-style rum production to Louisiana’s capital city. Founded by husband-and-wife team Chris and Kimberly LeBlanc in 2019, this craft distillery focuses exclusively on rum, which makes it pretty unique in a state better known for whiskey and bourbon. The LeBlancs converted a former commercial building into their production facility, complete with custom copper stills and aging rooms where Louisiana’s heat and humidity work their magic on the barrels. The story started when Chris, a former petroleum engineer, became fascinated with rum during Caribbean travels and decided Louisiana’s climate would be perfect for aging. After years of home distilling and recipe development, the couple took the leap into commercial production. They work with Louisiana sugarcane and molasses, embracing the state’s agricultural heritage while applying modern distilling techniques. The operation remains small-scale, allowing them to control every aspect of production from fermentation to bottling. Visitors get an intimate look at rum-making in a working distillery where you can actually talk to the people making your drinks. The space has that industrial-meets-craft vibe with exposed brick, steel tanks, and the constant hum of production. You’re not shuffling through with dozens of other tourists—this feels more like visiting friends who happen to make excellent rum. The tasting room showcases their growing lineup of aged and flavored rums, and the LeBlancs or their small team are usually around to explain why Louisiana rum tastes different from what you’d find in the islands.