Because of settlers from Scotland and Eire who introduced their distilling data to the colony, the heritage of Maryland rye dates again greater than 4 centuries to the 1600s.
Earlier than Prohibition, Maryland rye was recognized for its sweeter, extra balanced profile not simply in the US however world wide.
At this time, Sagamore Spirit leads the cost in bringing this distinctive Maryland rye again to the world stage. We ask Ryan Norwood of Sagamore Spirit to inform us extra concerning the legacy of Maryland Rye.
Speak to us a bit about Sagamore’s Spirit, historical past, and heritage.
Sagamore Spirit is pushed by a singular mission: to craft the world’s finest rye whiskey. Our dedication is rooted within the legacy of Maryland Rye, celebrated traditionally for its high quality and distinctive character. At this time, we’re impressed by whiskey fans across the globe, aiming to deliver a contemporary strategy to American Whiskey that emphasizes a meticulous farm-to-table course of. We prioritize utilizing non-GMO grains, connecting with native farmers, and relentlessly pursuing excellence in each bottle.
Our journey begins with the wealthy heritage of Maryland Rye. Within the 1600s, farmers from Scotland and Eire introduced their distilling expertise to the American colonies. Traditionally, Maryland Rye was recognized for its sweeter, extra balanced profile, changing into a beloved selection worldwide. Earlier than World Conflict II, Maryland held one-third of the U.S.’s Rye Whiskey in bond.
At Sagamore Spirit, we triple distill our whiskey utilizing a column nonetheless named Penny and two doublers. Our state-of-the-art distillery, accomplished in 2017, is situated on a 5-acre campus in Baltimore. We take pleasure in our farm-to-table course of, growing a community of Maryland farmers to provide the rye we harvest.
Our whiskey is crafted utilizing two distinct mash payments, making a low rye and a excessive rye whiskey. These are fermented, triple distilled, and aged individually earlier than mixing to realize our signature Maryland Rye taste profile.
Sagamore Spirit stands as a contemporary American whiskey model with deep ties to the native Baltimore group. Our dedication to high quality and innovation has earned us over 200 awards internationally, together with the celebrated “World’s Greatest Rye Whiskey” in 2019.
What about its whiskey-making legacy in Maryland?
The legacy of Maryland Rye whiskey is a storied one, deeply intertwined with the historical past of American distilling. Within the 1600s, farmers from Scotland and Eire introduced their distilling experience to the New World, setting the stage for Maryland’s whiskey-making custom.
After the Revolutionary Conflict, land grants got to militiamen in what would develop into Kentucky, a transfer that helped unfold the craft of distilling additional. Maryland was one of many few states to refuse to ratify the 18th Modification, which started Prohibition, making Baltimore a hub of anti-Prohibition sentiment.
When Prohibition led to 1933, Maryland shortly reclaimed its place within the whiskey business. By 1939, the state held a 3rd of the nation’s rye whiskey provide. Nonetheless, the onset of World Conflict II in 1941 noticed all of Maryland’s distilleries transformed to ethanol vegetation to help the warfare effort. Authorities subsidies for corn additional diminished rye manufacturing, resulting in a decline in rye whiskey manufacturing.
Sagamore Spirit is devoted to reviving this proud heritage. Our distillery, which started manufacturing in April 2017, goals to encourage a worldwide ardour for Maryland Rye Whiskey. Within the 1700s, Maryland was the northernmost state that grew corn, leading to a singular mash invoice combining rye, corn, and malted barley. Traditionally, Maryland Rye was recognized for its candy, mellow character and was considered a high-end whiskey.
At Sagamore Spirit, we mix two completely different rye whiskies to recreate this conventional taste profile: a low-rye whiskey, and a high-rye whiskey. These whiskies are fermented, distilled, and aged individually earlier than being blended to realize our distinct Maryland Rye style.
What would you want bartenders to find out about Sagamore Spirit?
Sagamore Spirit provides bartenders a rye whiskey with the right concord of spice, sweetness, and depth, making it a super base for a variety of each traditional and modern cocktails. Whether or not utilized in a timeless Previous Normal or an ingenious new creation, Sagamore Rye enhances the drink with its wealthy and layered flavors.
By incorporating Sagamore Rye Whiskey into their cocktails, bartenders can elevate their craft with a premium spirit that brings a wealthy heritage, distinctive taste, and a dedication to high quality and sustainability to the mixology world.
Inform us concerning the model’s Farm-to-Desk messaging. Why is that this vital?
Sagamore Spirit’s farm-to-table messaging is central to our mission of crafting distinctive rye whiskey. This strategy emphasizes sustainability, native partnerships, and high quality from the very starting of the manufacturing course of.
Sagamore Spirit is dedicated to sourcing high-quality grains by means of its farm-to-table strategy whereas using top-quality non-GMO grains and supporting the native farming group. By means of this program, Sagamore Spirit has engaged with native farmers to buy seeds upfront with a pledge to purchase the harvest.
Our dedication to native agriculture extends by means of partnerships with native farmers. Sagamore Spirit shares of their danger and eases their preliminary funding by buying rye seed upfront. This initiative permits Maryland farmers to develop and harvest rye particularly for Sagamore Rye Whiskey. In 2023, over 1.6 million kilos of rye had been harvested in Maryland for our whiskey manufacturing.
These efforts not solely help native farmers but additionally guarantee the very best high quality substances for our whiskey. By using rye varietals like Serafino Rye, which is completely fitted to whiskey manufacturing, we proceed to refine our craft whereas contributing to sustainable agriculture. This farm-to-table strategy is significant because it underlines our dedication to high quality, sustainability, and group help, making certain that each bottle of Sagamore Rye Whiskey embodies these values.
Our dedication to high quality is obvious in each bottle of Sagamore Small Batch Rye. We use 100% non-GMO corn and meticulously mix our two mash payments, making certain the signature Maryland-style rye taste. Every batch is hand-bottled and non-chill filtered, guaranteeing an genuine and rich-tasting expertise.
Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey, inform us extra about this expression.
Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey is a testomony to our dedication to craft excellence since opening Sagamore Distillery in 2017. It’s our first globally out there 100% Sagamore-distilled whiskey.
Sagamore Small Batch is crafted from 100% Maryland-distilled rye whiskey, utilizing grains sourced by means of Sagamore Spirit’s devoted Farm-to-Desk course of. These grains are used to create our high-rye and low-rye whiskeys which are each triple distilled and matured for 4-6 years earlier than being blended in small 20-barrel batches. The mixing of two straight whiskeys provides complexity, whereas our triple distillation course of enhances its distinct smoothness.
What does Sagamore Spirit have coming down the pike?
This can be a massive yr for Sagamore Spirit, full of thrilling new releases and ongoing improvements. We’ve already made a powerful begin by bringing two distinctive bottles to the market: the re-release of our beloved Sagamore Manhattan End Rye Whiskey and the much-anticipated Sagamore Small Batch Rye Whiskey. These releases have been met with enthusiasm from our loyal followers and new whiskey lovers. Crafted solely from 100% Maryland-distilled whiskey, Sagamore Small Batch displays the state’s long-standing custom of native craftsmanship and excellence.
However that’s only the start. We’ve extra thrilling restricted releases deliberate for this yr that we are able to’t wait to share with the world. Every launch will spotlight our dedication to high quality, craftsmanship, and the wealthy heritage of Maryland Rye. Whether or not it’s a brand new end, an modern mix, or a singular growing older course of, our upcoming choices promise to deliver one thing particular and distinctive to the market.
Our distillery, situated within the Baltimore Peninsula, is consistently evolving. We’re devoted to creating memorable experiences for our guests and the area people. All year long, we host quite a lot of occasions, from excursions and tastings to academic lessons and group gatherings. These occasions not solely have a good time our whiskey but additionally foster a deeper reference to our group and followers.
Keep tuned as we unveil extra thrilling developments all year long. Whether or not you’re a long-time fan or new to Sagamore Spirit, there’s at all times one thing new to find and luxuriate in.
