Roulaison Distilling Co sits in a converted warehouse space on South Broad Avenue in New Orleans, founded in 2014 by T.R. Clontz, a former petroleum engineer who traded oil rigs for copper stills. The name ‘roulaison’ comes from Louisiana French, referring to the sugar cane harvest season—a nod to the agricultural roots that define much of Louisiana’s spirit-making tradition. Clontz spent years researching distillation techniques and sourcing equipment before opening the doors to this 3,000-square-foot facility that houses custom-built copper pot stills and serves as both production space and tasting room. The distillery focuses on American whiskey, rum, and gin, with an emphasis on using Louisiana ingredients whenever possible. The journey from concept to opening took nearly four years, including navigating New Orleans’ complex permitting process and convincing city officials that a distillery could work in this industrial corridor. Clontz brought on local talent to help develop recipes and manage operations, creating a small team that handles everything from mashing to bottling on-site. The space maintains an industrial feel with exposed brick walls and concrete floors, but they’ve added bar seating and display areas that make it welcoming for visitors who want to see how craft spirits come together in one of America’s most booze-loving cities.