Maryland is a state of striking contrasts: The iconic Appalachian Mountains stand tall in its west while the waves of the North Atlantic roll onto sandy beaches in its east. Shadows of the Civil War live in what were once battlefields, and the Baltimore Orioles thrill fans in Camden Yards, a retro ballpark. But there are also Maryland distillery adventures to be had, too. Maryland’s best distilleries reflect its energy, blending history with a hip vibe. Let this ultimate guide to craft spirits in Maryland bring you to the hotspots of this diverse state, beginning with Sagamore Spirit Distillery in Baltimore Peninsula, formerly known as Port Covington.  

1. Sagamore Spirit Distillery

The newly named Baltimore Peninsula is an evolving waterfront destination briskly welcoming new merchants and restaurants: The 5-acre Sagamore Spirit Distillery is an anchor for this burgeoning district, offering events like whiskey on the Water with Baltimore Water Taxi. Count me in for this 90-minute-long whiskey-tasting session that goes down with the sun. (Count me in.)

Sagamore works with local farmers to secure rye for their award-winning whiskey, creating a solid bond that benefits the farmers, the community, and the distillery. The “Core Collection” includes three American rye whiskey proofed with water filtered with limestone on-site and a 100 percent proof straight whiskey, considered among the best on the craft distillery scene in Maryland. 

We strongly recommend The Sagamore Spirit Distillery tour. You will see a 40-foot copper still and end the experience with a taste of extraordinary whiskey at the close. You should know that you can reserve a Whiskey Rebellion Trail Tasting Passport at the provided link. The good folks behind this passport chose Sagamore Spirit Distillery as one of five distilleries for this self-guided tour. It is all about more whiskey. 

2. Old Line Spirits

It turns out that flying EA-6B Prowlers turns you into a force to be reckoned with in the craft distillery scene in Maryland: at least, this is the case for Mark McLaughlin and Arch Watkins. The America Spirits Council of Tasters, or ASCOT, awarded their Old Line and Case 1 Navy Strength Spirit Platinum for 2023. The regular folk of Baltimore voted Old Line Spirits their number-one distillery, adding street cred to the brand. 

To discover whether you agree with ASCOT, book a 75-minute tour titled “From Grain to Grass” to see how these former pilots get it done: Old Line Spirits invites you to taste four of their products. Extend your visit by taking a whiskey and rum flight on a Flagship 95 in the bar. Old Line Spirits does not usually serve food, except when they pair up with a food truck for an event. Still, this ultimate guide to the best distillers in Maryland suggests the delicious food served at DiPasquale’s, located nearby. 

3. Loveton Farms Distillery 

A complete ultimate guide to craft spirits in Maryland must include its first nano distillery. Loveton Farms Distillery is in Middle River, about thirty minutes northeast of Baltimore proper. A nano distillery creates relatively small batches of spirits, meaning that it is more agile than the larger distilleries and, some say, more able to innovate. Loveton works closely with their community, once known as “Little Appalachia,” to source organic ingredients and come together in events and marketing spaces.

If the idea of sitting around a fire pit and sharing stories with others who appreciate the craft distillery scene in Maryland, Loveton Farm’s Distillery is for you, head to Loveton Farms. Weekday tastings are private affairs, but Saturday and Sunday tastings are open to the public. This nano-brewery has products like Original Family Recipe Apple Pie Rum, and Gentlemen’s Reserve Vodka in about seventy retail outlets. Apple Pie Rum sounds just about right as a mellow dessert to spend some time with. 

4. Copper Compass Craft Distilling Co.

Copper Compass Craft Distilling Co. sits in Charles County, Maryland, where over three hundred miles of shoreline lure fishers, a vibrant arts scene pleases theatre-goers, and the craft distillery scene thrives. The folks at Copper Compass Craft have created an austere, laid-back space with a handmade bartop and simple wooden stools. Tastings usually include their original platinum rum, Whiskey Barrel Spiced Rum, which sits with pieces of charred oak American barrel and seven spices. 

The best distilleries in Maryland give us experiences that stay with us long after the tour or tasting ends, and Copper Compass Craft Distilling Co. knows how to leave us satisfied. On a Saturday, you can create a unique candle while sipping a rum-based margarita. And when the NBA finals roll around, you will find El Patron food truck dishing up the proper tacos. 

5. Sang froid distilling 

Sang froid distilling has a pleasingly simple tagline: “a modern distillation of tradition.” Jeff and Nate, brothers-in-law, are the distillers at this artisan distillery. They own an orchard in western Maryland and use its fruit – the complete fruit, seeds, skins, and all, in their products; what they do not grow, they buy from within a 120-mile radius of their operation. 

Jeff and Nate draw on American ingenuity and European history to create brandy, rye whisky, and Dutch-style gin. They leave events to those who distill craft spirits in Maryland on a larger scale and pride themselves on providing us with memorable first tastes of fine hyper-local spirits. Ultimately, they have created one of the best distilleries of their scale in Maryland. 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Maryland Distillery Scene

Is there a map or a trail where I can see all the distilleries Maryland has to offer?

VisitMaryLand.org has a “passport” to Maryland’s distillery that we recommend you take a gander at. 

Where can I find some reviews of Maryland distilleries by patrons?

Trip Advisor posts candid comments from spirit lovers who have been at Maryland distilleries.

I am interested in distilleries in the Chesapeake Bay area. What next?

Chesapeake Living published an article on day trips to destination distilleries in the Chesapeake region. 

Distilleries in America are undergoing a renewal, with new clients discovering historic distilleries and life-long whiskey drinkers sampling the fare that innovative new distilleries offer. So, if you want to learn more about the craft whiskey scene in America, visit Distillery Nearby. Is there a new distillery near your neighborhood?