Leading the Revival of Maryland Rye

This week on the Whiskey Ring Podcast, I got to cross off another long-awaited guest: Sagamore Spirit. Situated harborside in downtown Baltimore, Sagamore's campus is among the more beautiful I've visited. The 5-acre plot centers around Penny, their 40' copper column still, which has (almost) single-handedly managed their transition from MGP-sourced rye to 100% Maryland-distilled rye, which now fills the vast majority of their bottles.

Few brands have moved from sourcing to their own distillate as seamlessly or as transparently. Along the way, Sagamore Spirit (no "s" because they'll only ever make one) has played with numerous finishes, including award-winning port cask and unique mead and beer finishes from nearby partners. Not to mention their one-off Calvados-finished Rye, which I still rank as one of the best pours I've ever had.

Sagamore is no longer alone in their promotion of Maryland Rye, with previous guests like Baltimore Spirits Co. also flying the banner, but it's hard to argue that Sagamore isn't leading the way, whether by volume, shelf space, or distribution reach. Ryan Norwood has been with Sagamore for several years and joins me to talk hospitality, building a rye brand for Maryland starting with Indiana distillate, and how their ongoing connection to the Vanderbilt-owned Sagamore Farm informs their branding, bottles, and their surprising decision to leave horses off the label.

Thank you to Ryan for entering the Whiskey Ring!

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS

Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up!

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The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires.

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Sagamore Spirit

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Waves, Whiskey, and Wild Tasmania: The Waubs Harbour Story

Nestled on the rugged East Coast of Tasmania, Waubs Harbour Distillery emerges as a maritime whiskey revelation that challenges everything you thought you knew about Tasmanian spirits. Founded by Tim and Bec Polmear, with distiller (and Tim's brother) Rob bringing scientific precision and deep industry experience, this distillery is a testament to the power of provenance and passion. Situated in a former oyster hatchery literally meters from the wild Southern Ocean, Waubs Harbour crafts a single malt that captures the essence of its environment - salt-kissed, windswept, and unapologetically Tasmanian.

The distillery's commitment to quality over quantity is evident in every aspect of their production. Using 100% Tasmanian barley, custom-cultivated yeasts, and an on-site cooperage, Waubs Harbour represents a new wave of craft distilleries that prioritize terroir and technique over mass production. Their unique maritime maturation process, where barrels breathe the pure oceanic air, creates a whiskey profile that is both subtle and complex - with subtle saline notes that hint at the wild environment of its birth. Their experimental approach, from locally sourced peat to custom-built smoking equipment, demonstrates a willingness to push boundaries while respecting traditional craft.

Awards from the World Whiskey Awards and Spirits Masters have already begun to put Waubs Harbour on the global whiskey map, but for Tim and his team, it's never been about accolades. It's about capturing a moment, a place, a lifestyle - the maritime spirit of Tasmania distilled into every carefully crafted bottle. With a production model that focuses on quality, a commitment to local ingredients, and a deep love for their craft, Waubs Harbour is more than a distillery - it's a love letter to Tasmania, written in the language of whiskey.

Thank you to Tim for entering the Whiskey Ring!

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS

Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up!

• BAXUS Website
• BAXUS on Instagram
• BAXUS on Facebook
• BAXUS on Twitter/X
• BAXUS on LinkedIn

_________________________________________________________

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring

The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires.

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.

Waubs Harbor Distillery

• Waubs Harbor Distillery Website
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Our First Venture To South Dakota

Black Fork Farms' roots trace back to Gordon Omen's great-great-grandfather, Poppy J Omen, who immigrated from Germany and farmed in Southwest Minnesota. The distillery operates on the same land where Gordon grew up, now primarily dedicated to distilling operations. Gordon's inspiration came during a trip to Budapest, where he experienced a field-to-glass bourbon that sparked his vision for creating something similar using his family's agricultural expertise.

While not a control state, South Dakota has its own share of challenges - distribution, limited visitor traffic, and some of the coldest weather in the lower 48. Tyler joins me to talk through these challenges and how BlackFork Farms is overcoming them.

It's a small operation, but boy that gift pack was beautiful, and they clearly care about the grain and cask - and that's all that matters.

Thank you to Tyler for entering the Whiskey Ring!

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, BAXUS

Baxus is the world's leading collectible spirits marketplace, with user-friendly options for buyers, sellers, and collectors looking to vault their collections. Use my link below to visit the BAXUS.CO website and sign up!

• BAXUS Website
• BAXUS on Instagram
• BAXUS on Facebook
• BAXUS on Twitter/X
• BAXUS on LinkedIn

_________________________________________________________

If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring

The Bottle Share Club - the $25/month Patreon level - is SOLD OUT! You can still support the podcast for as little as $1/month, and $5/month patrons will have first dibs if a $25/month member retires.

If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website.

BlackFork Farms

• • BlackFork Farms Website
  • BlackFork Farms on Instagram
  • BlackFork Farms on Facebook