Donaldsonville sits about 40 minutes down the river from Baton Rouge, and it's worth the drive for one reason in particular: a family distillery making spirits inside a building that once kept the town's lights on.

## A father and daughter at the still

NOEL Family Distillery is run by Chip Noel, the master distiller and a former jet pilot, and his daughter Natalie Noel, the CEO. Natalie earned her MBA at LSU, and the family's roots in Donaldsonville sugarcane go back to the late 1800s.

That farming history shows up in the bottles. The distillery uses local sugarcane farms for its rums, and its Agricole style Blanc Rum is distilled from fresh-pressed Louisiana cane juice from the 2023 grinding season. Only 1,002 bottles were made, each signed and numbered by Chip, at $68.99.

## What's on the shelf

The lineup includes three rums, a blanco and a reposado tequila made from Blue Weber agave in Jalisco, and a vodka distilled six times and charcoal filtered. The Single Barrel Reposado, bottled from one barrel without blending, is also $68.99. Pickle martinis are among the cocktail ideas on the distillery's recipe page.

## Book a tour

The distillery lives in the former Donaldsonville power building, which dates to around 1895. The Noels kept the exposed brick, high ceilings and historic details during the remodel.

Tours run about an hour and cover the town's history, the family's sugarcane story and the distilling process. Every tour ends in the tasting room with samples. Book ahead online.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with Saturdays by appointment. You can also order bottles online for pickup and browse shirts, hats and glassware while you're there.

## Plan your holiday run

A signed, numbered bottle of Louisiana cane rum makes an easy gift for the person who has everything. Make a day of it, then raise a glass to the river towns.

Find NOEL Family Distillery at 30 Veterans Blvd. in Donaldsonville.

Photo courtesy of NOEL Family Distillery.