Sagamore Spirit opened its award-winning, five-acre waterfront distillery in Port Covington in April 2017 and in the first year has played host to over 30,000 guests, milled over two million pounds of grain, entered 30 new markets and hired over 50 new teammates. While the first year marked some great successes, the Sagamore Spirit team is still full-steam ahead and looking forward to what the rest of 2018 may hold.
“It’s been a wild ride growing into our own as a distillery this past year,” said Sagamore Spirit President Brian Treacy. “We are grateful for our passionate fans and teammates and are ready to inspire a global passion for Maryland Rye Whiskey.”
Accolades & Awards
Sagamore Spirit is proud to be part of the whiskey renaissance in Maryland and is also helping to revitalize Port Covington’s waterfront by making the distillery a top destination for local whiskey-lovers and travelers. From taking over the No. 2 spot on TripAdvisor’s list of top things to do in Baltimore to being featured on the Travel Channel’s “Booze Traveler,” Sagamore Spirit is helping to bring to Port Covington new life.
Sagamore Spirit’s 18-time award-winning rye whiskies received critical acclaim this past year: the Signature 83-Proof Rye Whiskey received 95-points and the Sagamore Reserve Series Moscatel Barrel Finished Rye was awarded 96-points from the Tasting Panel Magazine. Cask Strength Rye and Sagamore Reserve Series Double Oak each received Double Gold awards from the San Francisco Spirits Competition and Wine and Spirits Wholesales Association convention in Las Vegas, respectively.
Community Spirit
Sagamore Spirit has become an anchor for Port Covington by hosting events like Whiskey on the Waterfront, Yoga & Whiskey, Sunset Tours with Baltimore Water Taxi, cocktail-making tours and much more! Rachel Fontana, Brand Director for Sagamore Spirit, says, “We always wanted Sagamore Spirit to be a neighborhood distillery, so we’ve partnered with local businesses to make the experience of coming to the distillery familiar and fun. Last year, we had over 30,000 guests tour this award-winning campus. Sagamore Spirit has become a true destination for whiskey fans and that makes us very proud.”
The Whiskey Thieves
The Whiskey Thieves, a group of brand ambassadors inspired by tradition and fueled by adventure, help to spread the word about Sagamore Spirit rye whiskey. There are currently over 6,000 Whiskey Thieves and counting which is a 200% increase from last year. Whiskey Thieves receive exclusive information on new whiskey releases, discounts on distillery tours and merchandise, and much more.
All About the Rye: #RYEDAY13th & Rye Street Tavern
Sagamore Spirit launched their Signature 83-Proof RYE on Friday, May 13, 2017, and celebrates Rye every Friday the 13th! On October 13, 2017, Sagamore Spirit paired their celebration with the grand opening of Chef Andrew Carmellini’s new restaurant in Port Covington, Rye Street Tavern. The restaurant’s waterfront views, Sagamore Spirit-infused cocktails and Maryland-inspired menus, have added to the waterfront property of Port Covington. Sagamore Spirit’s most recent RyeDaythe13th went national through social media and was celebrated in bars and restaurants both near and far.
Expanding To New Markets
Sagamore Spirit’s mission is to inspire a global passion for Maryland rye whiskey, and expanding distribution is key to that goal. The award-winning whiskey is now available in 30 markets, including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and California with sights to expand to even more markets in 2018.
Meet The Teammates
What started as a hopeful few has grown to a hard-working crew. The Sagamore Spirit team has grown to include over 65 teammates in 13 different states.
One-Year Anniversary Celebration
To celebrate such a successful first year, Sagamore Spirit hosted multiple events for a fun-filled, whiskey-inspired weekend from April 20-22. The weekend festivities kicked off on Friday night, April 20, with a special “Whiskey Thieves Only” Release Party at the distillery where President of Sagamore Racing Hunter Rankin and Sagamore Spirit President Brian Treacy welcomed guests to the outdoor tasting patio along the waterfront for food and drinks and limited time offer tastings. On Saturday, April 21, Sagamore Spirit invited all whiskey fans to the campus in Port Covington for tours, live music, lawn games and food from some Baltimore’s favorite food trucks. That Sunday morning, Sagamore Spirit partnered with Baltimore-based Rev Cycle Studio for three “Whiskey & Workout” waterfront cycling classes on campus and more outdoor fun on the lawn.
As summer approaches, the distillery is gearing up for some great outdoor events, including Sunset Tours with the Baltimore Water Taxi, monthly Whiskey on the Waterfront events, and partnering with the Sagamore Pendry to coordinate a new water taxi service that will ferry hotel guests to the distillery for tours. To learn more about the upcoming events at Sagamore Spirit and the waterfront distillery in Port Covington, visit www.SagamoreSpirit.com.
Here’s to another successful year for the Port Covington staple. Cheers!
