Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye is a Maryland-style straight rye whiskey from Baltimore, blended from two rye mash bills and bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV).
Before Prohibition, Maryland was a rye powerhouse, at one point the third leading whiskey producer in the US behind Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Sagamore Spirit, founded in 2013, set out to revive that tradition, and since opening its waterfront distillery in Baltimore in 2017 it has worked toward a fully Maryland-made rye. Small Batch is now its first 100% Maryland-made whiskey, quality-controlled from grain to glass.
The recipe blends two straight rye mash bills: a classic high-rye recipe of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, and a lower-rye recipe of about 52% rye with corn and malted barley. The spirit is proofed with limestone-filtered spring water from Sagamore Farm.
The result is the softer, more balanced, fruit-forward style of rye that flourished in Maryland before Prohibition. Classic baking spices pair with fruit notes including golden delicious apples, giving way to vibrant sweetness of caramel, honey and brown sugar. Warm spice and honey linger through a mild oak, fading-fruit finish.
Its balanced 93 proof makes it excellent neat, over a large cube or in a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned.
American rye whiskey is made from a mash of at least 51% rye and aged in new charred oak, giving it a spicier, drier character than bourbon, with notes of pepper, herbs and baking spice.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Baking spice, golden delicious apple.
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Palate: Caramel, honey, brown sugar, warm spice.
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Finish: Honey, mild oak, fading fruit.
Specifications
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Distillery: Sagamore Spirit, Baltimore, Maryland
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Style: Maryland-style straight rye whiskey
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Mash bills: 95% rye / 5% malted barley and ~52% rye with corn and barley
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Water: Limestone-filtered spring water from Sagamore Farm
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Proof / ABV: 93 proof (46.5% ABV)
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or over a large cube, or stir a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maryland-style rye?
A softer, more balanced, fruit-forward rye style from before Prohibition.
What are the mash bills?
A 95% rye recipe and a lower-rye recipe of about 52% rye.
Where is it made?
At Sagamore Spirit's distillery in Baltimore.
Explore more in our Rye collection.
