ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 12, 2026) ~ Annapolis, MD - The Maryland Department of Agriculture's marketing program, Maryland's Best, and the Maryland Grain Producers Association have announced the winner of the 2026 Farmer's Choice Award. After a fierce competition featuring only whiskeys made with at least 50% Maryland grain or corn, Sagamore Spirit has been selected as this year's winner.

The Farmer's Choice Award was created three years ago to encourage distilleries to use locally-grown grain and bring 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.

Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks expressed his pride in the state's history of producing amazing rye whiskeys. He also noted that this year's winning bottle featured 100% rye ingredients grown in Maryland. Atticks encouraged people to seek out rye whiskeys across the state and taste for themselves.

The winning bottle was Sagamore Pot Still Series: Rye Malt Whiskey, which 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 in Carroll County and malted by Bear Branch Malt, also located in Carroll County. Although the current edition is sold out, Sagamore plans to continue releasing special editions that are 100% made in Maryland.

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"We're fortunate to live and work in a place that offers every resource needed to craft world-class whiskey," said Max Hames, head distiller at Sagamore Spirit. "This Rye Malt Whiskey showcases Maryland grain, oak, and ingenuity. While this is our first fully aged whiskey featuring 100% local ingredients, we look forward to releasing many more."

The competition was tough, with submissions from McClintock Distilling, Meinelschmidt Distillery, Pathfinder Farm Distillery, Song Dog Farm Distillery, Tenth Ward Distilling, and Tobacco Barn Distillery. However, in the end, Sagamore Spirit came out on top.

The panel of 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 more farmers and industry agriculture leaders in the fun, a second competition was held at the annual Maryland Commodity Classic hosted by the Maryland Grain Producers Association. This cocktail competition was open to any spirit with 50% or more local grain or corn as its base. Attendees voted for their favorite cocktail from five submissions. The winners were:

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- Pathfinder Farm Distillery's Blackberry Bourbon Bramble (First Place - $500 prize)

- Ego Vodka's Expection (Second Place - $300 prize)

- Tenth Ward Distilling's Diamondback Sazerac (Third Place - $150 prize)

- Tobacco Barn Distillery's Whiskey Lemonade

- Meinelschmidt Distillery's Bourbon Cherry Lemonade

"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," said Jennifer Gannon, programs and public relations director with the association. "Both events showcase the many ways that Maryland-grown grain is transformed into high-quality products, creating new markets for farmers and local businesses."

To find all the products used in these cocktails, visit Marylandsbest.net. To learn more about the Maryland Grain Producers Association, visit their website. For inquiries about participating in future competitions, please contact Kristin Hanna at Maryland's Best.

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