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NOLA Distilling, the Riverside distillery that abruptly shut down operations last April to the dismay of fans of its signature Louisiana sweet potato vodka, is back up and running under new ownership and with a slightly tweaked name.
The Las Vegas-based HS Beverage bought the distillery a few months after its closure, renaming it NOLA Distillery, and resumed tours and production last month. The seven-year old company owns Hierarchy Vodka and two products under the Hustler label, but this is its first time owning and operating its own distillery.
The founder of NOLA Brewing Co., Kirk Coco, opened the distillery operation and its well-attended tasting room in 2015. In a city with no shortage of distilleries, it managed to make its mark on New Orleans in its three short years on Tchoupitoulas Street, accumulating awards for both of its vodkas and gaining recognition for its dedication to using locally sourced ingredients - sweet potatoes from Avoyelles Parish for vodka, Louisiana molasses for rum, cold brew coffee from French Truck Coffee for the liqueur, and cayenne peppers grown in NOCCA’s Press Street Gardens.
According to a press release, NOLA Distillery is working with the the Jazzmen Rice group to develop the first Louisiana jasmine rice vodka, a growing trend in vodka production. The distillery will now produce both Hierarchy Vodka and products under Larry Flynt’s Hustler brand, which are currently available at Hustler strip clubs and in the 15 states where the clubs are located. The company will distribute NOLA Distillery products in those retail markets as well.
The distillery is open for tours and tastings daily from noon to 8 p.m., and its grand opening party is planned for the end of March.
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