Mid-Atlantic Rye Whiskey Founders
(The Mid-Atlantic States Region include Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia & West Virginia)
MARYLAND WHISKEY FOUNDERS
(NOTE: FOUNDERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Below is a list and links to Whiskey Founders that have made huge contributions to the growth of the Mid-Atlantic Rye Whiskey Industry. These may have been historical figures that lived long ago before prohibition or may be living leaders that have advanced the cause of the industry as a whole. Mid-Atlantic Rye Whiskey has been its own whiskey category for years.
1
Eli Breitburg-Smith
Eli Breitburg-Smith, co-founder and head distiller at Baltimore Spirits Company, began his distilling career as a homebrewer and then worked in a homebrew shop. After spending one year working at the Great Basin Brewery in Reno, Nevada, Eli returned home to Baltimore, Maryland where he worked at Peabody Heights Brewery. During his tenure at Peabody, his friends Max Lents and Ian Newton asked Eli to help them plan a distillery.
2
Braeden Bumpers
Braeden Bumpers, along with his college friend (now business partner) Tyler Hegamyer, created McClintock Distilling. Like most craft distillers, they had a lot of family support. Braeden and Tyler had always been interested in doing home brewing. They loved the idea of making something from start to finish. At that time, craft distilling “really wasn't a thing”, says Braeden. But…
3
Edwin Clabaugh
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
4
James Clark
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
5
John T. Cummings
John T. Cummings was a prominent figure in Maryland's distilling industry, best known for founding the Melvale Distilling Company and building it into one of the largest and most prestigious producers of rye whiskey in the region. Cummings' journey from a commission merchant to a successful distillery owner reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of the time, and his legacy remains influential in the history of Maryland’s whiskey industry.
6
Colonel Craig Duncan
Colonel Craig Duncan is lifelong whiskey aficionado with a passion for history. He blends these two interests over an elusive glass of single barrel to form a truly unique and informative bourbon experience that you will never forget.
Duncan now resides in Columbia, Tennessee which is in Maury County. He is happily married to his wife of over 33 years, Melissa Page Duncan and they have two adult children.
7
George Gambrill
George T. Gambrill (1842–1930), considered by some as a “Pre-Prohibition Whiskey Scoundrel”, has a storied past. His successful production of Roxbury Rye is what makes him a Maryland Whiskey Founder. His numerous dealings with the legal system lends itself to the seemingly well-earned “Scoundrel” nickname.
8
Basil Hayden, Sr.
Hayden led a group of one hundred Catholics from Maryland into what is now Nelson County, Kentucky in 1785. This area, Bardstown is home to many of the famous bourbon brands and is considered "The Bourbon Capital of the World." Hayden actually donated the land for the first Catholic church west of the Allegheny Mountains.
9
Edward Hyatt
Edward Hyatt’s legacy in the whiskey industry remains significant, both for his leadership of the Sherwood Distilling Company and for the continued success of Sherwood Rye Whiskey. Under his direction, the distillery expanded its reach, and Sherwood Rye became one of the best-known rye whiskeys of the time.
10
Outerbridge Horsey
If you think whiskey has no place in American aristocracy, you’ve clearly never heard of Outerbridge Horsey IV; descended from Charles Carroll, a signer of the U.S. Constitution. Outerbridge Horsey IV may not be a household name among today’s whiskey lovers, but his contributions to the craft deserve a toast. He was a pioneer of rye whiskey in Maryland, an innovator in aging techniques, and a man who balanced the genteel life of an aristocrat with the gritty work of a distiller.
11
Luther Green King
Luther Green King inherited a small farm and 2 slaves. Distilling was a natural step for Luther since he had manpower at his disposal and could easily buy rye grain from nearby growers. He built the only distillery ever known to exist in Montgomery County (Maryland). The distillery was a three-story structure, with an office for making sales and a loading dock where horse-drawn wagons could carry away barrels of whiskey. He worked in close conjunction with farming interests.
12
William E. Kricker
William E. Kricker's legacy is more than good whiskey; it's about preserving a tradition. He insisted on using authentic methods and refused to compromise on quality. All this left a mark on Maryland's whiskey history and has influenced today's generation of Maryland distillers. The legacy of Baltimore Pure Rye Distillery lives on in the revival of Maryland's rich whiskey history, which is well underway. Distilleries like Sagamore Spirit and Baltimore Spirits Company are proudly carrying the torch.
13
Monica Pearce
Monica Pearce grew up in Frederick, MD and continues to live there today. Monica’s education and experience began in Environmental Science and Natural Resources. This impacted her life and how Monica runs Tenth Ward Distilling today. “The whiskey industry changed my career path, but I have no regrets!” Being ready for a career change, and her love of whiskey, led Monica to her journey as owner and “Boss Lady” at Tenth Ward Distilling Company.
14
Levi Price
Levi Price was born to Elijah Price and Sarah Ann Wolfe on October 22, 1835, in Frederick County, Maryland, in what was then the Urbana District, near the present community of Hyattstown. In 1858 at the age of 23 he began his first business, a flour mill, with less than a dollar to his name. Price proved to be highly successful as a businessman, leading him to build a three-story high distillery in 1867.
15
The story of Tobacco Barn Distillery transcends the world of whiskey; it is a rich narrative woven with threads of friendship, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. As Scott Sanders, his business partners, and their supportive wives craft exceptional spirits, they remain dedicated to honoring the heritage of whiskey while forging a vibrant path forward. Together, they embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation that is shaping the future of distilling in Maryland.
Scott Sanders
16
Samuel Taylor Suit
ST Suit was born in Bladensburg, Prince George's County, Maryland. At 14 years old he left school to work as an errand boy in a dry goods store in Washington, D.C. He and his father (an innkeeper) are said to have clashed over the refusal of the elder to pay for his son's further education, leading him to head West at an early age. He initially lived in Keokuk, Iowa, for a time before beginning his whiskey-making career at a distillery in Louisville, Kentucky.
17
Brian Treacy
A friend and highly successful business owner planned to start a whiskey distillery in Maryland and sought Brian’s interest. Brian quickly recognized starting a whiskey distillery is a once in a lifetime opportunity and he couldn’t pass it up. Brian Treacy brought his entrepreneurial spirit, his knack for business operations, and his easy-going creative personality back to Maryland to stand up the most famous rye whiskey distillery in modern times.
18
William & Edwin Walters
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
19
William Willett, Sr.
William Willett Sr.'s establishment of a Maryland Rye Whiskey tradition in the 18th century off the Patuxent River reflects a lineage that blended artisanal skill as a pewterer with entrepreneurial spirit. He decided to pass different trades to his sons. His oldest Edward, he taught silversmith/pewterer, William Willett, Jr. the second eldest learned distillation, that way family traditions and economic enterprises flourished. William Jr. moved his family to Nelson County Kentucky in 1792.
20
Frank L. Wight
Frank L. Wight was a prominent figure in Maryland's distilling industry, known for his contributions to Maryland rye whiskey production. His family’s distilling legacy began in the 1850s when his grandfather, John Jacob Wight, took over a struggling distillery north of Baltimore. He transformed it into a thriving operation producing Sherwood Rye Whiskey. By 1868, John Jacob sold a controlling interest to Edward Hyatt, which not only solidified the distillery's future but also intertwined the Wight and Hyatt families.
21
Lewis Winand
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
22
Jaime Windon
Jaime was born in Md, spent much of her life in the hospitality industry across the USA, and travelled extensively around the world. While tending bar, she developed an appreciation for a perfectly balanced cocktail. Her travels helped Jaime develop a taste for obscure and unique flavors. Intrigued by the resurgence of small-scale craft distilling in America, she co-founded Lyon Distilling Company in 2013, later rebranding as Windon Distilling Company.