History

Fordham Lee Distillery originated in Middletown Valley, Maryland, and is built on values such as simplicity, family, and life’s small joys. According to the site, our distillery stands for “A Spirit Worth Remembering” and for the honor of tradition and craft. The story tells that Bill has perfected his bourbon recipe through many years of testing, and the name Fordham Lee honors his son, Fordham Lee, whose memory is honored through our spirits. We prioritize grain-to-glass and use non-GMO ingredients from local farms, underscoring our connection to Maryland and local craftsmanship.

Production and Manufacturing

Our spirits are produced in small batches in Middletown, Maryland, and we work with grain-to-glass production. We describe ourselves as produced with non-GMO ingredients from local farms and with a focus on high quality and craftsmanship. The original 10-gallon still from our bootlegger days is still part of our flavor profile and pride in tasting. Our bourbons are aged in new, charred, American oak barrels; the standard Fordham Lee Bourbon Whiskey has an aging that is determined “to taste” at a minimum of 2+ years, and Fordham Lee High Rye Bourbon Whiskey is aged for 5+ years. We clearly indicate that our products have no added flavors or colors.

Products and Whisky Series

Bourbon & High Rye Bourbon

• Fordham Lee Bourbon Whiskey – balanced flavors of caramel, citrus and spice; smooth finish; aged in new, charred oak barrels (2+ years); no added flavors or colors.
• Fordham Lee High Rye Bourbon Whiskey – silky with a little bite, notes of cocoa, pepper, vanilla and caramel; aged in new, charred oak barrels (5+ years); no added flavors or colors.

Cream Liqueurs

• Blueberry Swirl Cream Liqueur – blueberry and vanilla cream, made with our white whiskey and fresh cream.
• Orange Dreamsicle Cream Liqueur – cream whiskey with a pronounced orange and vanilla twist.
• Peanut Butter Cream Liqueur – vanilla cream with peanut butter twist.
• Snickerdoodle Cream Liqueur – balance between cream and cinnamon (snickerdoodle flavor).
• Chocolate Love Cream Liqueur – chocolate cream with chocolate cake finish.

Moonshine (Bad Billy) and Desired Flavor Variants

• Ain’t That A Peach – Peach Moonshine, 30% ABV, natural peach flavor, distilled and bottled on-site in Middleton, Maryland.
• How About Them Apples – Apple Moonshine, 30% ABV, natural apple flavor; available in Maryland and North Carolina.
• I’ve Got A Crush On You – Orange Crush Moonshine, natural orange flavor; available in Maryland and North Carolina.

Other Information

• Our product descriptions clearly highlight that no flavorings or colorings are added to our bourbon, and that aging takes place in new, charred American oak barrels, with varying durations depending on the desired style (2+ years for standard bourbon, 5+ years for High Rye).
• We offer an online store and ongoing opportunities to find our products in retail stores via our Find Your Bottle function and “Where to Buy” page.

Visits and Experiences

We are active in events and tastings: “Experience Fordham Lee Distillery Tastings and Events Near You” and regularly updated events that allow you to experience our bourbon, cream liqueurs, and moonshine through tastings and events. We also announce that locations are added daily—primarily through our events and partnerships, as well as the possibility to find or request Fordham Lee products in the homeland via contact forms.

Philosophy

Our philosophy is built on the aim to offer a spirit worth remembering – the blend of tradition, local craftsmanship and high quality. We believe Maryland is a source of unique grains and flavor profiles and a connection to the local community through local ingredients and small-batch production. This is supported by our history of preserving and honoring Maryland’s distilling traditions and our endeavors to produce bourbon that stands alongside other classics through a balance of craftsmanship and contemporary innovation.