A New Orleans-based spirits company has carved out a niche in the competitive whiskey market with its botanical-infused American whiskey that launched in its hometown earlier this year.
Big Easy Whiskey, which debuted in February 2025, distinguishes itself from other flavored whiskeys by using 24 natural infusions in a five-year-aged straight whiskey base.
The product represents a calculated move by Big Easy Spirits Company (BESCO) to create what they call a premium everyday whiskey. The company, founded by New Orleans natives with extensive distilled spirits industry experience, aims to bridge the gap between craft cocktail culture and accessible drinking experiences.
Big Easy Whiskey Blends Traditional Methods with Modern Innovation
The whiskey starts with a traditional bourbon mash bill of 81 percent corn, 15 percent rye, and 4 percent barley, distilled in Kentucky and Indiana. BESCO ages the spirit for five years in used bourbon barrels before Master Blender Kieran Walsh adds the proprietary botanical blend.
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BESCO is a New Orleans-based spirits supplier founded by distilled spirits industry veterans and New Orleans residents. The company’s idea was to “bring a high-end spirit to the New Orleans market that’s neither kitschy nor pretentious,” according to an earlier press release.
The 86-proof whiskey retails for $34.99 per 750ml bottle and is distributed in Louisiana through Republic National Distributing Company. The product is also available for online purchase through Bourbon Outfitter.
Big Easy Whiskey Targets Growing Botanical Spirits Segment
Official tasting notes describe the whiskey as having toasty American whiskey aromas that transition to baking spices including vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. The palate features what the company characterizes as complex Amaro-like herbal notes with cedar and lemon balm.
The botanical-infused whiskey enters a market segment that has seen significant growth as consumers seek products that offer complexity beyond traditional flavored whiskeys. Botanical spirits have gained market traction across multiple categories in recent years, as drinkers explore more unique flavor profiles.
BESCO positions the product for both neat consumption over ice and as a cocktail ingredient. The company has developed signature serves, including the “Easy Over Ice” and “Easy Like Sunday Morning“.
By emphasizing its New Orleans heritage and five-year aging process, Big Easy Whiskey aims to capture consumers seeking authenticity, locality, and quality in their spirits choices.
