ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 12, 2026)–Maryland’s Best—the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s marketing program—and the Maryland Grain Producers Association is proud to announce that Sagamore Spirit has been selected as the 2026 Farmer’s Choice Award winner.
This competition features only those whiskeys made with at least 50% Maryland grain or corn. Now in its third year, it was designed to encourage distilleries to use locally-grown grain, bringing recognition to both industries. The winner receives a $1,000 cash prize from the Maryland Grain Producers Association, a plaque from Maryland’s Best and the ability to use the Farmer’s Choice logo on their products.
“We are proud to have a history of making amazing rye whiskeys in Maryland,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “It is fitting that the winning bottle this year featured 100% rye ingredients grown in Maryland. I encourage you to seek out rye whiskeys across the state and taste the greatness for yourself!”
The winning bottle was Sagamore Pot Still Series: Rye Malt Whiskey and featured 34% rye and 66% malted rye, and was aged for seven years in white oak char barrels. The rye was grown by Hickory Hollow Farm, of Carroll County, and malted by Bear Branch Malt, also of Carroll County. While the current edition is sold out, Sagamore plans to continue to release special releases that are 100% Maryland made.
Image by Rachel Felver/MDA. Sagamore Pot Still Series: Rye Malt Whiskey
“We’re fortunate to live and work in a place that offers every resource needed to craft world-class whiskey. This Rye Malt Whiskey showcases Maryland grain, oak and ingenuity. While this is the first fully aged whiskey we’ve released featuring 100% local ingredients, we look forward to releasing many more,” said Max Hames, head distiller at Sagamore Spirit.
Though the competition was fierce, there could only be one winner in the end. In addition to Sagamore Spirits, bottles were also submitted from McClintock Distilling, Meinelschmidt Distillery, Pathfinder Farm Distillery, Song Dog Farm Distillery, Tenth Ward Distilling and Tobacco Barn Distillery.
The judges for this year’s competition included Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor, Chichi Nyagah-Nash, Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz, grain farmer Jason Scott and Golden West Beverage Director Dee Acosta.
To involve even more farmers and industry agriculture leaders in the fun, a second competition is held at the annual Maryland Commodity Classic hosted by the Maryland Grain Producers Association. This cocktail competition is open to any spirit that has 50% or more local grain or corn as their base and attendees vote for their favorite. This year’s competition featured five cocktails with a first, second and third place winner:
“The Maryland Grain Producers Association is proud to partner with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and local distilleries to celebrate the Maryland’s Best Whiskey and Cocktail competitions. Both events showcase the many ways that Maryland grown grain is transformed into high-quality products, creating new markets for farmers and local businesses,” said Jennifer Gannon, programs and public relations director with Maryland Grain Producers.
To find all the products used in these cocktails, please visit Marylandsbest.net. To learn more about the Maryland Grain Producers Association, click here to visit their website. To inquire about participating in future competitions, please contact Maryland’s Best Director of Special Projects Kristin Hanna at [email protected].
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