Maryland based Sagamore Spirit has partnered with Nimbility to broaden distribution and amplify awareness of their award winning portfolio of premium rye whiskies across APAC.

Co-founders Bill McDermond, Kevin Plank and Brian Treacy at the opening of Sagamore Spirit’s state-of-the-art distillery on the Baltimore waterfront in 2017. Plank also founded and led global sports apparel brand Under Armour.

Sagamore Spirit, America’s leading producer of Maryland rye whiskey, has appointed Nimbility as its marketing and distribution agency for APAC. Maryland rye whiskey is a classic, approachable American whiskey that was widely popular in classic cocktails, prior to Prohibition, and that is now being embraced by today’s whiskey drinkers. The brand is committed to crafting the world’s best rye whiskey while strengthening its collective communities with a grain-to-glass concept that is revitalizing high-quality rye grain production in Maryland. Its award-winning, five-acre waterfront distillery in Baltimore is reclaiming the city’s rightful place in America’s whiskey history.

Maryland rye whiskey is full bodied yet notably more balanced than other regional rye styles. Among Sagamore Spirit’s more than 150 awards was “World’s Best Rye Whiskey” in 2019 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Sagamore Spirit’s distilling team blends two different rye mash bills – a high rye and a low rye – and then adds pure Maryland limestone-filtered spring water, transported from Sagamore Farm, to craft the brand’s range of whiskies.

The Range

Sagamore Spirit’s portfolio is comprised of Signature Rye, Double Oak Rye and Cask Strength Rye, plus an extensive range of limited edition and innovative finishes. The core range will be available first stage in focus markets across the APAC region.

· Sagamore Spirit, Signature Rye, 41.5% ABV

Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey is a blend of two straight rye mash bills, aged 4 to 6 years in high-char American oak barrels. The first is a high-rye, which adds notes of cinnamon and clove, and the second, a low-rye, contributes notes of caramel, honey, and citrus peel. The final spirit is proofed with pristine limestone-filtered water from a 1909-built spring house.

· Sagamore Spirit, Rye Double Oak, 48.4% ABV

After aging the straight rye whiskey for 4 to 5 years in high-char new American oak barrels, the whiskey is moved into toasted wave stave barrels for an additional 18 months. The increased surface area of the low-char, medium- plus-toast staves imparts Double Oak’s delightful caramel, toffee, hazelnut, and toasted coconut.

· Sagamore Spirit, Rye, Cask Strength, 56.8% ABV

The distiller’s cask strength rye is light amber in color, and on the nose, markedly aromatic, with distinct notes of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and vanilla and dried flowers. On the palate, it is sweet, with notable honey and brown sugar notes, along with elements of dried tropical and stone fruit and a pronounced pepperiness. The whiskey is creamy, with a pronounced palate weight and a slightly waxy character. The finish is long, with a pronounced sweetness, along with some stone fruit notes, pepperiness and a hint of bitterness.

“As the world embraces a wider range of American whiskies, now is the ideal time for us to partner with Nimbility to introduce APAC to all that our Maryland rye whiskey has to offer,” says Bill McDermond, a Sagamore Spirit co-founder who is now based in Hong Kong focused on growing the brands overseas. ”Nimbility’s expertise and track record of bringing American adult beverage brands to its core markets speaks for itself, and their enthusiasm for growing the market for our products and awareness of our brand made the decision to work together simple.”

“I had the pleasure of visiting Sagamore Farm in Maryland and the Sagamore distillery located in Baltimore Peninsula, and witnessed the complete grain to glass process that results in these extraordinary rye whiskies. I’m thrilled for the Nimbility team to be showcasing Sagamore Whiskey to all of our friends across Asia Pacific,”, says Nimbility CEO, Ian Ford. “This modern range of classic rye is a hallmark of American whiskey heritage harking back to pre-prohibition times when Rye was king!”

“Sagamore Spirit brings an exciting range of rye whiskies into our offering for the APAC markets,” says Nimbility Spirits Director, Manuel Arce. “Whiskey is the most dynamic category in the region with imported and regionally produced brands focused on educating consumers and adding value through innovative ageing, packaging and limited releases. Sagamore Spirit Rye whiskey brings innovation and heritage with unique packaging, innovative finishes and a widely-awarded liquid that fits the appetite for whiskey in the most savvy markets across APAC.”

For more information about Sagamore Spirit products in APAC, please contact Manuel Arce at manuel@nimbilityasia.com

Sagamore Spirit, Maryland's Leading Rye Whiskey Producer, Partners with Nimbility to grow Rye Whiskey Market across Asia Pacific