Sagamore Spirit

What Sagamore Spirit does

Sagamore Spirit is a Baltimore, Maryland-based craft distillery founded in 2013 that produces premium American rye whiskey under the legal entity Sagamore Whiskey, LLC. The company operates a five-acre waterfront distillery in the Baltimore Peninsula neighborhood (opened 2017) and manufactures Maryland-style rye whiskey using a dual mash bill (high-rye and low-rye), triple distillation, aging in charred American oak barrels, and proofing with limestone-filtered spring water from a 1909 Spring House at Sagamore Farm in Reisterstown, MD. Its portfolio spans core expressions (Small Batch Rye at $39, Cask Strength Rye at $69, Double Oak Rye at $59), annual Bottled-in-Bond releases, a Reserve Series with cask-finished experiments (Port, Sherry, Rum, Tequila, Calvados, Moscatel, Barleywine, Ale, Manhattan), High Rye Bourbon, and Amaro.

Sagamore Spirit sells through a hybrid distribution model combining direct-to-consumer channels (a Shopify-powered e-commerce store, on-site distillery visitor center, and the Nineteen O' Nine whiskey bar) with third-party retail, on-premise hospitality, and international distribution. Maryland state law permitting distilleries to sell directly to consumers is a structural advantage the company explicitly leverages to bypass traditional three-tier distributors. Experiential revenue is generated via paid distillery tours ($15–$20), cocktail classes, private event rentals, and the monthly Whiskey on the Waterfront concert series. The target customer base consists of whiskey enthusiasts, premium/collector buyers, and experiential on-site visitors, with the brand amassing 200+ international awards including the 2019 World's Best Rye Whiskey (San Francisco World Spirits Competition) for its Port Finish expression.

The business model relies on three primary revenue streams: one-time bottle sales across price points from $39 to $89, on-premise experiential consumption (tours, cocktail classes, Nineteen O' Nine bar), and branded merchandise/apparel sales. The company is privately held and affiliated with Plank Industries, LLC. It employs 51–100 people and supports its Maryland heritage identity through hyperlocal grain sourcing partnerships with Maryland farms (Bear Branch Malt, Hickory Hollow Farm, Sagamore Farm) and cross-industry collaborations with Boordy Vineyards, Sierra Nevada Brewing, 603 Brewery, and the Baltimore Ravens.

Name

Sagamore Spirit

Legal name

Sagamore Whiskey, LLC

Website

https://sagamorespirit.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sagamore Spirit is a Baltimore-based craft distillery producing premium Maryland-style rye whiskey and bourbon, selling globally via DTC channels, retail, hospitality, and a five-acre waterfront distillery offering tours, cocktail classes, and the Nineteen O' Nine whiskey bar.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distilled Spirits / American Rye Whiskey

NAICS

Distilleries (31214), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)

akta.pro primary industry

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC), Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft rye whiskey
• Distilled spirits production
• Barrel-finished whiskey
• Distillery tours experiences
• American rye whiskey

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Whiskey Bottle Sales: Sagamore Spirit generates primary revenue from selling bottled whiskey products directly to consumers through its e-commerce storefront (shop.sagamorespirit.com), at the distillery visitor center, and through retail and restaurant distribution globally.
2. Distillery Tours and Experiences: The company offers paid distillery tours ($15–$20 per person), cocktail classes, and tasting experiences at its waterfront campus. Revenue is generated through advance booking (via Xola) and walk-in visits.
3. Nineteen O' Nine Whiskey Bar On-Site Consumption: Following Maryland legislation passed in the early 2020s permitting distilleries to serve cocktails on premises, the Nineteen O' Nine bar generates revenue from handcrafted cocktail sales, flight trays, and distillery-exclusive whiskey pours consumed on site.
4. Merchandise and Apparel Sales: The company operates a gift shop selling branded merchandise including apparel, glassware, barware, accessories, and barrel purchases through its e-commerce and on-site retail channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sagamore Spirit is a Maryland craft distillery that produces and sells triple-distilled, Maryland-style American rye whiskey made from a blend of two straight rye mash bills and proofed with limestone-filtered spring water. Its portfolio spans core expressions, an aged Reserve Series with innovative barrel finishes, limited editions, and distillery exclusives, complemented by paid distillery tours, cocktail classes, the Nineteen O' Nine on-site whiskey bar, and a Whiskey Thieves loyalty program.

Product overview

Sagamore Spirit is a Maryland-based craft distillery producing a portfolio of rye whiskeys and related spirits. The core offerings include three primary expressions (Small Batch Rye, Cask Strength Rye, and Double Oak Rye) available year-round, supplemented by the Reserve Series featuring premium aged expressions and experimental barrel finishes. The company also produces limited editions, distillery exclusives, and a High Rye Bourbon. Beyond spirits, Sagamore Spirit operates visitor experiences including distillery tours, cocktail classes, and the Nineteen O' Nine whiskey bar, plus a Whiskey Thieves loyalty program and the Whiskey on the Waterfront outdoor event series. All products are made with Maryland-grown grain and limestone-filtered spring water from the 1909 Spring House.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sagamore Small Batch Rye Whiskey

Quantifiable outcome

• World's Best Rye Whiskey — 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Port Finish)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boordy VineyardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSagamore Spirit partnered with Boordy Vineyards, a Maryland winery, to age their straight rye whiskey in Boordy port barrels. The collaboration produced the award-winning Port Finish Rye Whiskey, named World's Best Rye Whiskey in 2019. The partnership has continued across multiple iterations (2019, 2022, 2023 releases), deepening the connection between Maryland's craft distilling and winemaking traditions.
• ArtEatablesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSagamore Spirit collaborated with ArtEatables to develop chocolates that pair specifically with Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskies. ArtEatables participates in the Chocolate & Whiskey Pairing experience offered at the distillery, where guests enjoy an abridged tour followed by an extended tasting of four chocolates each paired with a different whiskey expression.
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSagamore Spirit partnered with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for a cross-country barrel partnership resulting in the Rye Ale Finish expression. Sierra Nevada ale barrels were used to finish Sagamore's straight rye whiskey, creating a spirit with notes of cocoa, creamy caramel, hazelnut, and candied oranges.
• 603 BreweryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSagamore Spirit partnered with 603 Brewery (based in New Hampshire) to age their straight rye whiskey in rye-turned-barleywine beer barrels from 603, resulting in the Barleywine Cask Finish Rye Whiskey. The barrels impart a malty, creamy character with notes of soft toffee, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
• Baltimore Ravens (NFL)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSagamore Spirit partnered with the Baltimore Ravens NFL team to create a 2024 limited edition 'Purple Rising' Sagamore Rye Small Batch bottle celebrating the Ravens' first-ever alternate helmet launch. The partnership connects two Maryland institutions and leverages sports fandom for brand reach and local community engagement.
• Maryland Distillers GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSagamore Spirit is a proud member of the Maryland Distillers Guild, a trade association representing Maryland's craft distilling industry. Sagamore Spirit partners with the Guild for events including the September 2025 Whiskey on the Waterfront event, supporting the broader Maryland craft spirits community.
• Bear Branch Malt, Hickory Hollow Farm, Wilson Forest ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSagamore Spirit sourced grain entirely from Maryland suppliers for the Pot Still Series Rye Malt Whiskey, partnering with Bear Branch Malt (grain/malt), Hickory Hollow Farm (grain), and Wilson Forest Products (oak barrels) to produce a 100% Maryland-sourced, 7-year-aged whiskey in Maryland oak barrels—a distillery exclusive.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WhistlePig Whiskey: Premium craft rye whiskey brand with strong DTC, reserve series, and farm-distillery identity. Direct peer to Sagamore in the craft rye category with comparable aged-portfolio structure and a similar bar/visitor experience; was acquired by Pernod Ricard in 2017, illustrating the strategic value of the category.
• Koval Distillery: Chicago-based craft distillery producing organic rye, bourbon, and specialty spirits with strong DTC and on-site bar operations. Comparable multi-channel craft strategy with on-site cocktail experience.
• Smooth Ambler Contradiction: West Virginia craft distillery with a rye whiskey focus and aged inventory approach. Comparable Mid-Atlantic/Appalachian craft positioning and reliance on independent distribution plus DTC.
• Michter's Distillery: Premium American whiskey producer with rye and bourbon portfolio, including limited single-barrel and toasted barrel finishes. Comparable in craft-to-premium positioning, barrel-finish innovation cadence, and aged inventory approach.
• New Riff Distilling: Independently owned Kentucky craft distillery with rye and bourbon portfolio and a strong visitor/distillery experience program. Comparable craft positioning, multi-channel strategy, and reserve series pricing.
• Wilderness Trail Distillery: Kentucky craft distillery producing rye and bourbon with a focus on proprietary yeast and local grain. Comparable craft rye positioning with innovation in cask finishing and a growing barrel-select program.
• Catoctin Creek Distilling Company: Pure rye whiskey distillery in Purcellville, Virginia, with hyperlocal grain sourcing and a craft-DTC business model. Closest regional peer in the Mid-Atlantic craft rye category, sharing farm-to-bottle sourcing philosophy.

Broad incumbents

• Knob Creek Rye: Beam Suntory's craft-style rye whiskey, positioned as a mass-premium competitor. Comparable in product format (small batch rye with broad retail distribution) but operates at national scale with substantially larger marketing and distribution budgets, representing a key shelf-space competitor.
• Bulleit Rye: Diageo's high-rye bourbon-adjacent whiskey brand with broad on-premise and off-premise distribution. Represents the national-scale premium whiskey competitor Sagamore faces for retail and bartender mindshare.

Others

• Boordy Vineyards: Maryland winery that is a strategic partner supplying port barrels for Sagamore's award-winning Port Finish rye. Relevant as an ecosystem partner and adjacent craft beverage producer in the Maryland farm-to-bottle community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCI8W0I6pg-BuxdEYIN_1cfA
• Facebookfacebook.com/sagamorespirit
• Instagraminstagram.com/sagamorespirit
• Xx.com/sagamorespirit

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sagamore Spirit