New Orleans is a city that welcomes people with open arms — and glasses that are always at least half-full. But what made New Orleans such a popular tourist destination has just as much to do with its history as its personality.
All Aboard to New Orleans
Founded in 1718, New Orleans is one of the oldest tourist destinations in America. It was also one of the most secluded ones, too. But that changed following the Civil War, when transcontinental railroads meant easier access to the Big Easy.
So many new visitors required more first-class hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions to accommodate them with plenty of good times — and plenty of reasons to keep coming back.
All That Jazz
Stories by writers like Lafcadio Hearn and George Washington Cable continued to put New Orleans on the map in the 1800s. But the early 1900s is when winter travelers began to flock down south to get the full experience of Carnival season, horse races at the Fairgrounds, French Quarter shops and the cocktails the city had become known for creating (of course).
When the 1940s rolled around, so did the jazz scene. Clubs sprang to life. Record studios opened. Musicians innovated. And the Birthplace of Jazz was, well, born. Now, the city with so many great hotels, along with a unique culinary heritage, had more than enough music and entertainment for tourists to enjoy.
All Are Welcome
Once the jazz scene was in full swing, everything else fell into place. Tourism boomed for decades thanks to an expanded Carnival season complete with new events like Southern Decadence that gave everyone reason to celebrate.
Today, New Orleans welcomes over 18 million tourists in a normal year. Even better, the city hosts more than 135 festivals, too. It’s uncertain how many cocktails get consumed every year, but who’s counting anyway? You can count on New Orleans to forever be the home of hospitality. And you’re always invited to the Sazerac House.
Events
E.H. Taylor Bourbon Experience
Experience the craftsmanship and legacy of E.H. Taylor through an exclusive guided tasting featuring five of the distillery's most sought-after expressions. Guests will enjoy pours of E.H. Taylor line showcasing the remarkable range and innovation of the Taylor portfolio. Through each pour and discussion, discover how Taylor's relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the bourbon industry and created innovations whose influence can still be found in distilleries around the world
Smugglers and Spirits
This program explores the people who operated along the edges of the law in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, including pirates, privateers, smugglers, river bandits, bootleggers, and other notorious figures. Through historical storytelling and beverage interpretation, guests learn how Louisiana's waterways, ports, and frontier conditions created opportunities for both commerce and crime. Cocktail pours are incorporated throughout the program to connect the stories to the spirits that shaped the region's culture and economy.
Science of Spirits
Shake up your cocktail knowledge with a guided tasting featuring premium spirits and handcrafted cocktails, including Sazerac Rye, Jung & Wulff Guyana Rum, a Clarified Whiskey Sour, a Coconut Oil-Washed Rum Old Fashioned, and a Buffalo Trace Paper Plane.
Meet the Distiller: Small Group Tour & Tasting
Step behind the scenes with the artisans who bring Sazerac’s legendary spirits to life. “Meet the Distiller” is an exclusive, hour-long experience that begins with a private VIP tour through the Sazerac House distillery and historic Apothecary. Guests will enjoy insider access, behind-the-barrel stories, and a rare glimpse into the craft and science of our production process. Following the tour, you’ll join our distiller in their private tasting room for a curated guided tasting of four Sazerac expressions — hand-selected and presented by the distiller. This intimate setting allows guests to explore the flavors, techniques, and traditions that define our spirits.
