Sagamore Distillery
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Sagamore Distillery

Sagamore Spirit Distillery: The World’s Most Awarded Rye Whiskey Maker

History

Sagamore Spirits was founded in 2013 by Kevin Plank, the founder of Under Armour, and Bill McDermond. While Plank is the driving force behind the brand's vision, McDermond was a co-founder who also focused on its international growth. Other individuals, such as former MGP master distiller Larry Ebersold, were also key to developing the whiskey recipes and setting up the distillery.  In  2023 it was aquired by Illva Saronno, the Italian drinks company most famous for its Disaronno amaretto liqueur brand.

 

Born from Maryland’s deep rye whiskey heritage, Sagamore Spirit Distillery was founded  on the banks of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor with a single mission;  to revive Maryland’s once-legendary rye whiskey legacy. Drawing on water naturally filtered through limestone from Sagamore Farm, the distillery pays homage to an era when Maryland rye was the pride of America’s East Coast.

Inspired by the spirit of thoroughbred excellence from the historic Sagamore Farm (owned by the same family behind the distillery), Sagamore Spirit represents craftsmanship, integrity, and innovation,  bringing Maryland Rye back to the forefront of American whiskey.

Distilling Process

Sagamore’s signature style begins with two distinct rye mash bills,  one high rye, one low rye,  each distilled separately before being skillfully blended. This dual-mash process allows Sagamore’s distillers to balance bold spice with rich sweetness, producing a profile unlike any Kentucky rye.

Every bottle is proofed with pure limestone-filtered spring water from the distillery’s own farm,  a nod to the natural clarity and mineral balance that gives Sagamore its trademark smoothness. The distillery’s copper stills, grain-to-glass approach, and aging in new charred American oak barrels complete the equation — a marriage of tradition and innovation.

What Makes Sagamore Spirit Unique and Revered

Sagamore Spirit stands out not only for its award-winning rye but for its Maryland heritage and unique blending philosophy. The distillery has redefined rye whiskey for a new generation, offering expressions that range from their flagship Straight Rye Whiskey to experimental cask finishes like Port, Sherry, Cognac, and Tequila barrels.

Their bold yet balanced flavour — spicy, caramel-sweet, and endlessly complex,  has earned Sagamore Spirit over 200 international awards, including “World’s Best Rye Whiskey” and “Distillery of the Year.” Few distilleries match their precision and pride in reviving an almost-lost American whiskey tradition.

Master Distiller and Team

The Sagamore Spirit team, led by Master Distiller Brian Treacy and a passionate crew of Maryland whiskey craftsmen, combine innovation and history in every batch. Their focus is not on mass production but on legacy — building each whiskey with the patience and precision worthy of the Sagamore name.

Signature Whiskeys

  • Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye Whiskey – The flagship expression; a perfect harmony of sweet and spice.

  • Sagamore Spirit Double Oak Rye – Finished in a second charred oak barrel for amplified caramel and vanilla depth.

  • Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Rye – Powerful, rich, and bursting with rye spice and dark fruit.

  • Sagamore Spirit Sherry & Port Cask Finishes – Limited editions showcasing the distillery’s mastery in finishing.  (not Available in Australia)

Awards and Recognition (these a re just the tip of the iceberg)

  • World’s Best Rye Whiskey – World Whiskies Awards
  • Double Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competitio
  • Best Rye Whiskey – American Whiskey Masters

Their pursuit of excellence has made Sagamore one of the most awarded rye whiskey distilleries on the planet.

See Our Sagamore Collection

At Bourbon Brothers, we proudly feature Sagamore Spirit as a cornerstone of America’s rye whiskey revival. Whether it’s the flagship Straight Rye or their exquisite Double Oak, Sagamore embodies craftsmanship, character, and legacy — values that define our curated selection.

Explore our Sagamore range → [Shop Sagamore Spirit Rye]

  

 

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