Visiting the Donner-Peltier Distillery: Whisk(e)y Wednesday present by Lock & Key

by Blair "B-Rex" Loup

Team Bite and Booze took a trip to Thibodaux, Louisiana, recently. In my mind, there’s only one reason for me to be in Thibodaux, and that’s to visit my favorite spirit manufacturer in the state.

It felt a lot like a “long-time listener, first-time caller” situation for me.

I fell in love with the Donner-Peltier Distillery shortly after I started working for Jay. I tried their full line of products at the time (pre-LA1 Whiskey) and the rest is history.

Barrels of LA1 Whiskey aging in the Donner-Peltier warehouse

My job is to support local businesses and products, and I can’t think of a better way to drink local than to drink alcohol that uses Louisiana rice as an adjunct in their gin, vodka, and LA1 Whiskey distilling processes.

Adding Louisiana rice into the mix gives their products a different, more flavorful taste. It’s something that’s unique and sustainable (they use the broken grains from rice mills that would otherwise be thrown away).

Located next to a sugar cane field, the Donner-Peltier Distillery welcomes visitors to tour their facilities, have a few cocktails, and learn about the different processes that allow them to create their line of LA1 Whiskey, Rougaroux rums, and Oryza gin and vodka. Visitors can also check out the warehouse where LA1 Whiskey is aged.

If you’re lucky and not a lightweight like our Content Sheriff/Warden of the Web, Sydney Blanchard, you’ll get to taste some whiskey straight out of the barrel!

While there are other Louisiana whiskeys available, LA1 is the first aged whiskey to be produced in Louisiana since prohibition.

Currently, the whiskey is highly allocated and can sometimes be found in bars around Baton Rouge.

The easiest way to get your hands on a bottle is to follow the distillery on Facebook and Twitter. When a new batch is ready to bottle, they’ll let you know so you can call the distillery and reserve a bottle to pick up at their tasting room.

Donner-Peltier is currently working on expanding their space for more barrels to age, thus filling our hearts and bellies with more whiskey in the near future.

For more information about tours, tasting room hours, and their award-winning products visit dpdspirits.com.