The Sagamore Spirit team calls its new rye whiskey "a timeless American whiskey as pure as the Sagamore streams." After several years of aging, the public can now try the whiskey that uses limestone-filtered water from the streams of Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank's 530-acre Sagamore Farm.

Today, Sagamore Spirit celebrates "Rye Day," or the day its rye whiskey hits the shelves in local bars and liquor stores. Sagamore Spirit will also introduce its product at next weekend's Black-Eyed Susan Day and the Preakness Stakes, as the exclusive rye whiskey of Preakness weekend.

Distilling Whiskey, Instilling Pride
Maryland is no stranger to rye whiskey production, and as co-founder Bill McDermond said in a video interview with the Baltimore Sun, rye is "quintessentially Maryland." From its local spring water to its 83 proof (a nod to Interstate 83 that connects Sagamore Farm to the future distillery in South Baltimore), to the Maryland-themed drink recipes on its website, state pride shines through in everything Sagamore Spirit does.

The company's executives also want Marylanders to have pride in their product. In an article last summer, Plank – who also co-founded the company – told Baltimore Magazine: "It's important to have a whiskey that's local and authentic and real. It's something that can make our city and our state proud."

McDermond echoed this sentiment with the Baltimore Sun, saying "We set out to make a product that all of Maryland would be proud of, and we mean that."

Next Up: A Baltimore Distillery for Sagamore Spirit
Last fall, Sagamore Spirit executives, along with Plank, and Governor Larry Hogan broke ground on the company's 5-acre whiskey distillery in Port Covington. The distillery – scheduled to open later this year – will feature a distillery building, processing center, Sagamore Farm water tower, as well as a two-story restaurant and event space. Sagamore Spirit expects to welcome more than 100,000 visitors annually at its retail and visitor center for daily tours and tastings.

Sagamore Spirit's launch and forthcoming distillery opening is a sign that great things are on the horizon for this Maryland company. It's also a reminder that Port Covington redevelopment continues to progress.

And since it's Rye Day, let's toast to that Maryland Mule, anyone?