Old New Orleans Spiced Rum 750ML

Old New Orleans Spiced Rum 750ML is a Louisiana-made craft spiced rum bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast, this expression stands apart from mainstream spiced rums through a weeks-long steeping process that coaxes genuine spice complexity rather than relying on flavored syrups.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: New Orleans, Louisiana  |  Style: Spiced Rum  |  Distillery: Celebration Distillation

Production & Heritage

Celebration Distillation, founded by artist James Michalopoulos, operates out of 2815 Frenchmen Street in New Orleans — one of only three distilleries in the United States known to use repurposed machinery in its production. The base rum is double-distilled through a combination of pot and column stills using locally sourced molasses from LaFourche Sugars in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Rather than blending a pre-made spice syrup into the spirit, the distillery steeps the rum with whole spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger, vanilla, chicory, and cayenne pepper — for four to six weeks, functioning much like a tea bag to build layered, authentic flavor.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cinnamon arrives first, followed by fennel-like warmth, strong black tea, and dried citrus peel. Underneath those top notes, impressions of red pepper and allspice emerge gradually.

Taste: The entry delivers a gingerbread sweetness with a crème brûlée richness, giving way to nutmeg at the mid-palate. Cayenne pepper heat builds steadily but never overwhelms, keeping the rum balanced and drinkable with minimal alcohol burn.

Finish: This is where the rum truly ignites — Wine Enthusiast describes clove, ginger, and cayenne-pepper fireworks that erupt despite a milder entry. The heat lingers with purpose, tapering off into warm baking spice and a faint chicory bitterness.

How to Drink Old New Orleans Spiced

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the ideal starting point; the four-to-six-week steeping gives this rum enough depth to reward slow sipping. For cocktails, consider these:

• Dark 'n' Stormy — The cayenne kick and ginger notes amplify ginger beer rather than hiding behind it.
• Rum Old Fashioned — Cinnamon and allspice provide built-in complexity that reduces the need for additional bitters.
• Hurricane — A New Orleans classic that gains authenticity and spice backbone from a locally distilled rum.

Best For

• Gifting a craft spirits enthusiast who appreciates small-batch production stories
• Hosting a New Orleans-themed cocktail night at home
• Introducing spiced rum drinkers to a natural steeping method versus syrup-based brands
• Adding a Louisiana-made spirit to a curated American rum collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old New Orleans Spiced taste like? The dominant profile is warm gingerbread and crème brûlée sweetness that transitions into a cayenne and clove finish. The spiciness provides genuine heat without being aggressive, balanced by cinnamon and nutmeg throughout.

How does Old New Orleans Spiced compare to Kraken Black Spiced Rum? Kraken is heavier, darker, and leans on molasses sweetness at a slightly higher 94 proof, while Old New Orleans focuses on a lighter, tea-steeped spice character at 80 proof. The steeping method used by Celebration Distillation creates a drier, more complex spice profile compared to Kraken's sweeter, vanilla-forward approach.

Is Old New Orleans Spiced good for sipping neat? Yes — the 40% ABV and layered spice notes from weeks of steeping make it one of the more sipping-friendly spiced rums available. Minimal alcohol burn allows the cinnamon, cayenne, and chicory to come through clearly.

Where is Old New Orleans Spiced made? It is distilled at Celebration Distillation on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. The molasses is locally sourced from LaFourche Sugars in Thibodaux, Louisiana, keeping the supply chain rooted in the Gulf South.

What foods pair well with Old New Orleans Spiced? Bread pudding with whiskey sauce mirrors the rum's baking-spice sweetness. Grilled andouille sausage complements the cayenne heat. Pecan pie echoes the caramelized, nutty undertones. Dark chocolate truffles balance the chicory bitterness. Bananas Foster — another New Orleans staple — creates a natural regional pairing.

What sizes does Old New Orleans Spiced come in? The standard widely available format is the 750ml bottle.

Is Old New Orleans Spiced worth the price? It positions as a craft-tier spiced rum above mass-market options like Captain Morgan or Kraken, and its 92-point Wine Enthusiast score and artisan steeping method justify the modest premium over mainstream brands in the category.

Why Old New Orleans Spiced?

A 92-point rating from Wine Enthusiast places this among the highest-scoring spiced rums from an American craft distillery. The four-to-six-week whole-spice steeping method is a genuine production differentiator — most competitors use flavored syrups or extracts blended quickly into a neutral rum base. Celebration Distillation's use of repurposed machinery, locally sourced Louisiana molasses, and a combined pot-and-column distillation process gives the spirit a provenance that few spiced rums can match. For drinkers seeking heat with substance rather than sugar with color, this is a category standout.