In its first year, the Maryland Grain Producers Association and Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Maryland’s Best program, have named Frederick’s McClintock Distilling the winner of the 2024 Maryland’s Best Whiskey competition. It is for whiskeys produced in the state, made with at least 50 percent or more local grain.
“Congrats to McClintock’s and all the participants involved in the competition! It’s exciting to see grain producers and distillers combine forces to highlight the role of agriculture in spirits,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “One of our goals at the department is to remind consumers how agriculture plays a part in all of our favorite products and this competition was a fun way to show the relationship from grain to glass.”
The competition is designed to encourage whiskey producers to consider Maryland grain and showcase the variety of spirits already made with local products.
The competition featured two awards: the Maryland’s Best Farmer’s Choice Award and the Maryland’s Best Cocktail Competition, both using Maryland whiskeys made with at least 50 percent or more Maryland grain. Seven Maryland companies, including Baltimore Spirits Company, Louthan Distilling, McClintock Distilling, Meinelschmidt Distillery, Pathfinder Farm Distillery, Tenth Ward Distilling and Tobacco Barn Distillery competed. Judges were Maryland farmers Chip Bowling, Jason Scott, John Bruning, as well as Secretary Atticks, Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russell Strickland, and Chief Legislative Officer for Governor Wes Moore, Eric Luedtke.
The Maryland’s Best Farmers’ Choice Award blind taste test was held earlier this month at the Maryland Department of Agriculture and after lively debate, McClintock Distilling’s Old Etzler Straight Rye Whiskey came out on top as the winner. McClintock Distilling will receive a $1,000 prize from the Maryland Grain Producers,a trophy and rights to use a logo on products recognizing their status as the winner of the competition. Etzler Straight Rye Whiskey is made with Danko Rye, Warthog Red Wheat, Yellow King Corn and was aged in New Cooperage White American Oak for five years. Ingredients came from Celadon Farms (Mt. Airy), Bought the Farm (Thurmont), and Wallin Organic Farm (Warwick). Old Etzler is released every December, consumers can purchase the whiskey by visiting McClintock Distilling in Frederick County or by visiting their website.
Courtesy of the Maryland Department of Agriculture