Distillery profile

Sagamore Spirit

Explore the distillery's history, craft, production, and the distinctive character of its whiskies.

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Sagamore Spirit

About the Distillery

On a five-acre waterfront property on Baltimore Peninsula sits Sagamore Spirit, a distillery focused on American rye whiskey and a grain-to-glass approach. The distillate is proofed with limestone-filtered spring water from a spring house dating back to 1909, an element also shown as a 1909 mark on the bottles. The distillery collaborates with Maryland farmers to increase the use of locally grown rye. Visitors can take part in hour-long guided tours, tastings, and visit the whiskey bar Nineteen O’Nine by the water.

History

Sagamore Spirit’s history binds local farming to a notable spring-water source. The spring house from 1909 at Sagamore Farm supplies the distillery with limestone-filtered water, and this water is a visible element in the branding. The products have earned international recognition with more than 200 awards, including the title World's Best Rye Whiskey in 2019 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In November 2021, Maryland Distilled Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey was launched as a new addition to the portfolio. Today Sagamore operates a five-acre waterfront facility on Baltimore Peninsula and continues its collaboration with local farmers and the local community.

Ingredients and Production

Production centers around rye as the main grain, and the distillery actively works with local farmers to grow and supply Maryland rye for use in the mash. Sagamore Spirit practices a grain-to-glass approach, which includes partnerships around cultivating and handling raw materials as well as further processing at its own facility. A distinctive feature is that all products are proofed with limestone-filtered spring water from a 1909 spring house, which is incorporated directly into the finished spirit. The branding and product names emphasize rye focus and local ingredients.

Maturation and Barrel Types

The portfolio includes variants such as Double Oak Rye and a Cask Strength edition as well as a Bottled in Bond Straight Rye; these names indicate that bottling and maturation strategies vary between releases. The Double Oak name refers to the use of oak in maturation, and the Cask Strength edition is bottled at barrel strength. The Bottled in Bond release from 2021 adds a special bottling method to the range.

Whiskeys

The core collection consists of Signature Rye, Cask Strength Rye, and Double Oak Rye, distributed globally. The lineup is complemented by reserve series and previous releases, as well as special launches, including Maryland Distilled Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey from November 2021. The range communicates a clear rye identity and emphasizes local ingredients, the 1909 spring water source, and various bottling formats as central elements of the product lineup.

Whiskey Type / Series Status
Signature Rye Whiskey Rye Whiskey; Core Collection Current; Core Collection
Cask Strength Rye Whiskey Rye Whiskey; Core Collection Current; Core Collection
Double Oak Rye Whiskey Rye Whiskey; Core Collection Current; Core Collection
Maryland Distilled Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey; Launched 2021 Current

Visiting the Distillery

The distillery is open five days a week and offers hour-long guided tours, whiskey tastings, and on-site shopping. The Visitor Center has hours Wednesday–Friday 12:00–20:00, Saturday 10:30–20:00, and Sunday 10:00–18:30; Monday and Tuesday are closed. The Nineteen O’Nine Whiskey Bar has its own hours later in the week and on weekends. There is on-site parking with the first two hours free in the Sagamore Spirit/Rye Street Tavern lot, validation for up to four hours in the 250 Mission garage, and the possibility of transient dockage via Port Covington Marina for visitors arriving by boat.

The stated hours are Visitor Center: Monday–Tuesday CLOSED; Wednesday–Friday 12:00–20:00; Saturday 10:30–20:00; Sunday 10:00–18:30. Nineteen O'Nine Whiskey Bar: Monday–Sunday CLOSED; Thursday–Friday 1:00 PM–8:00 PM; Saturday 11:00–20:00; Sunday 11:00–18:00.

Philosophy and Craft

Sagamore Spirit focuses on creating rye whiskey through a grain-to-glass approach and by building partnerships in Maryland agriculture. The dedication to rye, collaboration with local farmers, and the use of limestone-filtered spring water from a historic spring house (1909) are central values. The distillery’s work binds production, local farming, and the local community together as the foundation for both craft and the brand.

Awards and Recognitions

  • World's Best Rye Whiskey (2019, Winner)

  • Over 200 international prizes