Happy Raptor Distilling of New Orleans is proud to announce the second annual seasonal release of its bestselling infused rum, 504King Cake. Produced exclusively for carnival season, this unique rum infusion is handcrafted in the Crescent City from only real ingredients and 100% Louisiana molasses. Notably, a portion of sales from every bottle of 504King Cake sold through Mardi Gras Day will benefit Grow Dat Youth Farm.
“It’s important to us that 504King Cake earns the appreciation of locals first,” says co-founder and chief brand officer Meagen Moreland-Taliancich. “Louisianans know when a product has been made with them in mind, and New Orleanians certainly know good rum and good times. For the city’s first Mardi Gras in two years, we couldn’t be prouder to present 504King Cake again this season.”
504King Cake begins as a flavorful, Caribbean-style white rum handcrafted in Happy Raptor’s Central City distillery with 100% Louisiana molasses, picked up directly from a century-old sugar refinery in Belle Rose. This unique infusion is crafted with roasted pecans, hand-cut orange peel, vanilla beans, and cinnamon. These whole ingredients infuse into the white rum for several weeks before they are filtered, bottled, and labeled by hand. 504King Cake contains no artificial ingredients, unnecessary added sweetening, or syrups.
“The quality of the ingredients we use has a huge impact on the outcome of each batch of rum,” says co-founder and head distiller Mark Taliancich. “For us to continue producing a beautiful local product, responsible and equitable agriculture is essential in Louisiana. For this reason, we are very proud to support Grow Dat Youth Farm for this year’s release.”
Happy Raptor opened its doors on February 14, 2020, only hours before the first uptown Mardi Gras parade, and one month before the pandemic shut down businesses in Orleans parish. During its first two years in operation, Happy Raptor has partnered with over forty local nonprofit organizations and donated over $30,000 in direct funds and in-kind goods and services to the local community.
In keeping with sacred king cake tradition, 504King Cake is a limited, seasonal release available from Epiphany (January 6, 2022) through the end of carnival season. Bottles of 504King Cake are available for purchase in the Happy Raptor tasting room for $39 plus tax and are currently being distributed to a selection of local grocery and liquor stores throughout the greater New Orleans area. Bottles can be purchased for pick up only in the tasting room or reserved online for pick up at 504KingCake.com.
This seasonal release joins Happy Raptor’s signature line of infused 504Rum which includes 504Hibiscus, 504Bananas Foster, 504Silver, and 504Gold. For Happy Raptor’s hours of operation, more information on 504King Cake, Raptor Gras 2022 events, their craft cocktail menu, and retail locations that currently sell 504Rum products, visit www.happyraptor.com or follow the distillery @504Rum on Facebook and Instagram.