Bayou Rum Distillery & Event Center — Attraction in Iowa

I have not been able to come back to this place for awhile. I will say the only saving GRACE and THE ONLY REASON FOR 3 STARS was our tour guide the amazing sweet and professional Gracie. She answered all our questions, was SO INFORMATIVE and was so so kind. The entire tour was great and we had no complaints…..until we came out. Whoever the “manager” is….so inappropriate, unprofessional, LOUD, and disrespectful…whoever her “side kick” was….I never caught her name because I asked her a question and she knew nothing and I was told to “ask Gracie” then she continued to go running to the very RUDE girl who was so so loud in front of my 83 year old grandmother and apparently was the “one in charge”…wow I was in disbelief, I felt the uncomfortable vibes from our wonderful tour guide, she was such an angel and the only reason we purchased anything out of this gift shop. We came here a few years back, the one in charge was sweet sweet Taylor, she had this place so much more together and so much more southern hospitality, I haven’t been back yet, do to distance, and seeing she was no longer there was a shock, but seeing who replaced her was more of a disappointment, have some class Bayou Rum. Maybe give this place a shot, but if you want a tour, definitely ask for Gracie, everyone else seems stuck up with no southern hospitality like Taylor had this place. I won’t be back, not the same...

I had an amazing experience visiting this rum distillery, a rare find! From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome and immediately set the tone for a fun and informative tour. The guide had a real passion for rum-making and explained every step of the process with great detail, but in a way that was easy to follow and engaging.

The distillery itself is beautiful—well-maintained, full of character, and with a unique charm that makes you feel connected to the tradition behind the craft. The aromas in the barrel room were incredible, and learning about the aging process gave me a whole new appreciation for the complexity of rum.

Of course, the highlight was the tasting session! Each sample showcased a different style and character, from smooth and mellow to rich and full-bodied. It was a treat to discover the nuances between them, and I left with a new favorite bottle of Gator Bite to take home, but my next one is the XO.

Overall, this tour was the perfect balance of education, history, and fun. Whether you’re a rum enthusiast or just curious to learn something new, I highly recommend visiting. It’s an experience I’ll definitely remember—and one I’d...

Bayou Rum is cool spot. You do have to drive to this place but it's worth it. Such a big acres of land and the building itself is historic and very authentic.

As we walked in, there are tons of Bayou merchandize to purchase, including the Rum products of course.

We went on a FREE Tour of the Bayou Rum. We first walked into a theatre room, sat down and watched a short clip about how Bayou Rum was established. Then, a knowledgeable expert guided us around the Rum manufacturing stations, also telling us how rum is made, the ingredients needed and why Lake Charles, Louisiana is a good place to make rum.

In particular, you got to check out its new Event Space, the space is very new, with its own bar section, the big lobby area, the barrel library, the outdoor space, it's perfect for wedding, big parties and corporate events.

The best part at Bayou? You get to taste some of the Bayou rum samples, they have 6-8 flavours. Personally, I like the XO, Spice and the Classic.

I was told that they also recently open up a cafe shop at a building just next door to the main building. I didn't get a chance to check out the cafe, but if you do, let me know...