More and more craft distilleries are opening up in Louisiana. I am often skeptical given that the hot humid weather would seem to be less than ideal for aging spirits. However, Sugarfield Spirits, J.T. Meleck, and Seven-Three Distilling have proven me wrong. So, while at Hokus today, I saw bottles of Laissez Versez Bourbon. They had open bottles on the bar, so I sampled the 90 proof reserve and the bottle I bought, the 104 proof Small Batch Cask bourbon. I was impressed with the reserve; there was a lot of ethanol on the nose but the flavors were good. I liked the Small Batch Cask enough to buy a bottle at $48 and write a full review.

I obviously will need to go to the distillery and tasting room as my work life often sends me to Baton Rouge, where Laissez Versez is located. When I do I will definitely write up more about the distillery. The name translates to let’s pour or maybe let it pour, in Cajun French. The continental french translation would be “Laissez Verser.” On the back label, the bottle’s drink responsibly message begins with “Don’t be a couyon.” Couyon is a Cajun French terms that generally translates to the words fool or idiot, but is derived from a slang French term for testicle, couille.

This whiskey is non-aged stated, but it is labeled as straight bourbon, which means given the lack of an age statement that this bourbon is at least four years old. The website indicates that this bourbon is cask strength. My bet is that they barreled it at probably 107 or 110 proof and had some alcohol evaporate rather than water due to humid conditions, causing the proof to decrease.

The color on this is a deep amber with some mahogany flecks, which is surprising for a whiskey so young. On the swirl is a thin film with some nice thick legs. The nose is fairly traditional bourbon, with an emphasis on vanilla and caramel, and nothing off-putting. A flavor bomb awaits on the palate, with lots of great vanilla notes, some caramel, a hint of maraschino cherry, and some nice oak in the background. It has a nice medium rich mouthfeel that is very palate coating. On the finish, the cherry notes pop a little bit followed by cloves and a hint of black cardamom. The finish lingers for a long time.

I am really impressed. I have tried a lot of craft bourbons over the years that are often bitter, fall flat on flavor, or really needed more time in the barrel. Laissez Versez Small Batch Cask has none of those issues. In fact, it is a really impressive cask strength bourbon, even at the low proof. Having tried it, I really want to go to the distillery and ask a whole lot of questions on how they made this wonderful bourbon in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. How did they not make the same mistakes of so many other craft distillers? What is in the mashbill? Your website references “Midwestern barrels,” so do you mean Missouri like everyone else or somewhere else? But this is an unquestionably good bourbon.