Maryland Department of Commerce issued the following announcement on Nov. 13.
It’s never been easier to toast with a locally-made Maryland spirit. As a state with one of the fastest-growing rates of distilleries, Maryland is home to more than two dozen unique companies that exceed the expectations of even the most critical palettes. We’re excited to celebrate these innovative artisans during November as part of Maryland Spirits Month. Get in the spirit and check out some of these award-winning liquors with Maryland roots for your next holiday gathering.
Lyon Distilling
Located in charming St. Michaels, Lyon Distilling prides itself on offering a signature line of rums that pay tribute to the rich traditions of the Eastern Shore.
“Lyon Distilling opened five years ago, as Maryland's first rum distillery in over 50 years,” said owner and co-founder Jaime Windon. “We are dedicated to transforming Louisiana sugar cane into delightful American rum, every day, by hand, here on the Eastern Shore.”
Signature Drink: The Chesapeake Stormy – made with Lyon’s flagship Dark Rum and spicy ginger beer – perfect for everyone who sails into our harbor!
Springfield Manor Winery/Distillery/Brewery
Springfield Manor in Thurmont offers farm to glass spirits including rye whiskey, bourbon, rum, vodka, grappa, brandy, and gin.
“Our mountain fresh limestone filtered spring water, along with corn grown exclusively on our farm, are used to create Maryland’s first Straight Bourbon,” said John St. Angelo, owner and head distiller of Springfield Manor. “The lavender from our fields creates our San Francisco Double Gold-Winning Lavender Gin.”
Signature Drink: The Lavender Bees Knees
2oz Springfield Manor Lavender Gin
3/4oz honey syrup
3/4oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
Add all ingredients to an ice filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass which can be rimmed with lavender sugar & garnished with 2 springs of fresh lavender, a lemon twist, or a small piece of honeycomb.
MISCellaneous Distillery
MISCellaneous Distillery, in Mount Airy, offers an award-winning range of rums and whiskeys as well as vodka and gin. The company hosts tours at their Main Street tasting room and boasts a strong relationship with local Carroll County farms and businesses to craft their products.
“At MISCellaneous Distillery, our motto is Live and Drink by Your Own Rules,” said co-owner Meg McNeill. “Instead of charging for tours and tastings, we ask visitors for a donation which we pass along to non-profit partners. By highlighting a new partner each quarter, we get to shine a spotlight on the important work led by many local organizations.”
Signature Drink: A simple daiquiri using MISCellaneous’ Risky Rum, which took home the gold medal in 2018 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Tobacco Barn Distillery
Located in St. Mary’s County, Tobacco Barn Distillery pays tribute to the Southern Maryland region’s long history of spirits production with their environmentally-friendly whiskies, bourbons, and rums.
“What makes our bourbon special is that we grow the corn right next to the distillery,” said head distiller Dan Dawson. “We are a true ‘dirt-to-bottle’ operation. It’s such a good feeling to mash, ferment, and barrel a bourbon in November, from the corn you planted in May, right here in Maryland.”
Signature Drink: According to Tobacco Barn’s partner Scott Sanders, “We drink our bourbon ‘neat’ or with one ice cube.so no cocktail recipe for us.”
Check out Maryland’s other talented distillers including:
Baltimore Spirits Company - Baltimore City
Old Line Spirits - Baltimore City
Blue Dyer Distilling Co. - Waldorf
Dragon Distillery - Frederick
Fiore Winery & Distillery - Pylesville
Spirits of Patriots - Princess Anne
Gray Wolf Craft Distilling - St. Michaels
Tenth Ward Distilling Co. - Frederick
Twin Valley Distillers - Rockville
Louthan Distilling - Baltimore City
White Tiger Distillery - Stevensville
McClintock Distilling Co. - Frederick
For more information about Maryland Spirits Month, go to VisitMaryland.org. Read even more #BuyLocalMD suggestions here.
Learn more about Maryland's craft beverage scene
Original source can be found here.
Source: Maryland Department of Commerce
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