Located in the heart of Baltimore’s thriving Port Covington neighborhood, Sagamore Spirit Distillery first opened its doors in 2017 and quickly made a name for itself in the rising category of rye whiskey. The 5-acre waterfront distillery was started by Kevin Plank, founder and CEO of Under Armour, and his business partners, and they have made it their passion to revive the once-forgotten legacy of Maryland Rye Whiskey.
What is so special about Maryland Rye Whiskey, you ask? Let’s take a quick look at its history.
Maryland Rye Was Liquid Gold
The Maryland-style of rye whiskey was produced long before Kentucky bourbon and was known to be full bodied yet notably more balanced than other regional rye styles. It was made with a majority of rye, then corn, and then one other grain, which was typically malted barley although recipes differed in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Even when Kentucky struck gold with its bourbon, Maryland kept up to the pace and produced fine rye whiskey that was coveted near and far. Unfortunately, due to Prohibition, all the distilleries were closed and Maryland rye never really made a comeback … until now.
Today, Sagamore Spirit has picked up the torch to continue this unique style of whiskey. In the colonial United States and beyond, Maryland was one of the largest producers of American whiskey and was home to more than 40 distilleries.
Sagamore has set out to put the whiskey category back on the map and on bar shelves across the world.
Sagamore Garners Fans & Accolades
Sagamore’s rye whiskeys have earned more than 200 awards around the globe, including “World’s Best Rye Whiskey” in 2019 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Sagamore Spirit’s distillation team blends two different rye mash bills — a high rye and a low rye — and then adds pure Maryland limestone-filtered spring water that has been transported 22 miles from Sagamore Farm to craft the brand’s signature Maryland-style rye whiskey. The Spring House at Sagamore Farm was built in 1909, which is why every bottle of Sagamore Spirit bears that significant marker.
Unlike many U.S. distilleries, Sagamore does not employ a single “master distiller,” instead opting for a team of distillers who, through collaboration and experimentation, push each other and Sagamore’s products to greater heights. This approach creates award-winning products and a company where people are passionate about their work and believe in the impact they are making.
They currently offer three products in their Core Collection, which include the Signature Rye Whiskey, the Cask Strength Rye Whiskey and the Double Oak Rye Whiskey. The distillery also does experimental releases as part of their Reserve Series, and featured in that is a Sherry Finish Rye Whiskey.
The waterfront distillery attracts thousands of tourists and locals alike each year and offers tours, tastings, cocktail classes and even the popular Whiskey on the Waterfront live music series during the summer and fall.
Sagamore combines age-old whiskey-making traditions with distilling innovation to create delicious, drinkable, award-winning rye whiskey. Independently owned and operated by a proficient team of distilling experts, Sagamore is poised to become one of the top rye whiskey distilleries in the U.S.
Investment
CaskX offers investors both highly sought-after rye whiskey mash bills from Sagamore Spirit. To learn more about whiskey barrel investment, click here.
