We Ask Clint Spotleson of Sagamore Spirit about Using Rye in Classic Cocktails

Move over Midwest. Maryland rye is back, reminding us of the real roots of American whiskey.

Baltimore may not be the first place you think of when it comes to whiskey, but it should be. Behind the blue crabs and the beautiful Chesapeake Bay that defines the state of Maryland is an unsung whiskey-making history, and Sagamore Spirit has sailed in to sing it, or better yet, pour it in a glass.

Born and based in Baltimore, Sagamore Spirit isn’t exactly a newcomer to the American whiskey world. Its foundation and purpose bring us back over 150 years when Maryland was once America’s rye whiskey-producing hot spot. The state was glorified for its rye and loved even more for the elixir made from it until Prohibition closed the doors on Maryland distilleries practically for good.

Thankfully, we now have Sagamore Spirit in town, supporting local rye farmers and revitalizing the Maryland rye-producing tradition.

Sagamore Spirit’s rye whiskey takes on a sensory journey of this history, from the mash to the glass. “Our whiskey follows the long history of Maryland Rye, which has a little corn in the mash bill, giving a nice pop of sweetness to the spiciness of the rye,” says Clint Spotleson, Global Advocacy & Engagement Manager for Sagamore Spirit.

“It makes it a real ‘jack of all trades’ whiskey for cocktails—a rye that has just enough corn to make a bourbon fan excited to play with.”

Of course, Sagamore Spirit doesn’t cover just one rye whiskey. The lineup is concise and highlights rye in every essential light, from cask strength to small batch, a favorite of the Sagamore crew for getting creative. “Sagamore Small Batch is a workhorse that goes great in modern techniques. I love drinking it in those reimagined cocktails you see with lacto-fermentation utilized,” adds Spotleson.

Spotleson took the words from our mouths. Sagamore Spirit is an imbibable reminder of how much fun bartenders can have with Maryland rye behind the bar. And, sometimes, that fun can also be as simple as getting back to the basics and making a good classic cocktail—a little homage to the traditional energy of Maryland rye itself.

“I feel classics are always a safe bet. Personally, I’ve also been playing around with different versions of the Smash lately, they are always a refreshing route to go,” says Spotleson.

But naturally, our cocktail curiosity is always running a little wild. What gives Sagamore Spirit whiskey a modern shine? Spotleson encouraged us to be as adventurous as possible, with a few suggestions from the magic he’s seen behind the bar.

“Sagamore stands up in a complex cocktail with multiple ingredients. I see lemon, amaro, bigger sweeteners (honey, rich Demerara), and bitters quite often. Oloroso sherry is a fun companion that I wish I saw more.”

With so many ideas to incorporate Maryland rye into our cocktail repertoire, we only had one more thought: the holidays. What’s chestnuts roasting by an open fire without a good hot toddy?

“Sagamore Cask Strength with warm apple cider is the perfect cocktail to enjoy during the winter season. It’ll warm your soul, and the Cask Strength makes you forget you’re cold!” says Spotleson.

We know that Sagamore Spirit rye whiskey will add just the right amount of spice and everything nice to keep us off the naughty list this season.

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