Sazerac to open New Orleans alcohol museum

Buffalo Trace Distillery owner Sazerac has acquired two 200-year-old buildings in New Orleans that will be renovated to house a visitor centre, alcohol museum and office space for 45 new employees.

The Sazerac House will be based in two historic buildings

The two historic buildings, which have been vacant for 30 years, are based on the corner of Canal and Magazine Street, just a few hundred yards from the original 1850 Sazerac Coffee House.

Renovation will start in the coming months and is forecast for completion in late 2018. Local historic preservation architects Trapolin-Peer and Ryan Gootee General Contractors have been selected to renovate the 50,000 sqare foot site.

Once work is finished, The Sazerac House – a visitor centre and beverage alcohol museum – will allow guests to learn about the Sazerac cocktail, New Orleans brands, and the history of the role of New Orleans in the Bourbon, rum and cocktail sectors.

The site will also allow Sazerac to grow its workforce, with office space for 60 employees – 45 of which will be new positions.

Sazerac said it will endeavour to keep as many of the original design features of the buildings – including wood floors, high ceilings, oversized windows, and ornate support columns – as possible.

“We simply could not be happier than to have the opportunity to restore such beautiful buildings to their former glory, in a perfect location, so close to the original site of the Sazerac Coffee House that will act as our future New Orleans homeplace,” said Mark Brown, president and CEO of Sazerac.

“We’re excited to have this opportunity to preserve our roots, while at the same time explore opportunities to introduce our visitors to new product releases that have a special tie to New Orleans.”

Sazerac expects 100,000 visitors to The Sazerac House within its first year of operation.

Artist impression of the inside of The Sazerac House