Tobacco Barn Distillery, a grain-to-bottle operation based on former tobacco farmland, was one of eight distilleries named in this year’s Farmer’s Choice Award competition in Maryland — an outcome that underscores a growing emphasis on locally sourced grain and the economic links between farmers and small distillers.
What the award seeks to achieve
The Farmer’s Choice Award, now in its third year, is run jointly by the state marketing programme Maryland’s Best, the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Grain Producers Association. Entry is restricted to whiskeys that use at least 50% Maryland-grown grain or corn, a threshold set to encourage distilleries to buy from in-state growers rather than import raw material from elsewhere. The winner receives a $1,000 prize from the Grain Producers Association, a plaque from Maryland’s Best, and the right to carry the Farmer’s Choice logo on its bottles.
State winner and local placement
The overall award this year went to Sagamore Spirit of Baltimore for its Pot Still Series: Rye Malt Whiskey, a release made from 34% rye and 66% malted rye and aged for seven years in charred white oak barrels. The rye used in the winning bottle was grown at Hickory Hollow Farm in Carroll County and malted locally by Bear Branch Malt — details that were highlighted by officials when announcing the winner.
Although the winning grain and malting did not originate in Southern Maryland, the presence of Tobacco Barn Distillery, operating on former tobacco land and growing its own corn, signals the wider movement among smaller producers to reclaim agricultural links and add value locally. For rural communities where fields once planted with tobacco are being repurposed, that model has practical and symbolic resonance.
“We are proud to have a history of making amazing rye whiskeys in Maryland,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “It is fitting that the winning bottle this year featured 100% rye ingredients grown in Maryland. I encourage you to seek out rye whiskeys across the state and taste the greatness for yourself!”
Why this matters beyond Maryland
Here in St Mary’s (South West), readers will recognise familiar themes: how local food and drink producers can lift value for farmers, and how place-based branding helps small businesses compete against larger, better-capitalised rivals. The Farmer’s Choice Award deliberately rewards those who commit to local supply chains, a model that can help preserve farm incomes and keep more of the processing and marketing closer to source.
- Eligibility: Whiskeys must contain at least 50% Maryland-grown grain or corn.
- Prize: $1,000 cash, a plaque and use of the Farmer’s Choice logo.
- Objective: Encourage distilleries to source grain from Maryland farmers.
For small producers, the practical hurdles are real: malting, consistent grain supply and the costs of ageing spirit for many years make it difficult to scale. The competition recognises both product quality and the agricultural connections that underpin it.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum local grain | 50% |
| Winner’s grain composition (Sagamore) | 34% rye / 66% malted rye |
| Winner’s ageing | 7 years |
Locally grown grain and small-batch distilling are not solely Americana concerns. Across the UK, artisan distilleries and farmers are likewise exploring closer partnerships, and the success of place-led initiatives abroad offers lessons for producers here: certification, co-operative purchasing and local marketing can help small businesses reach consumers who value provenance.
While Sagamore Spirit sold out its latest release, the company has signalled plans for further 100% Maryland-ingredient bottlings. For smaller operations such as Tobacco Barn, participation and recognition in state-run competitions raises their profile and can open doors to local markets where provenance is a selling point.
For readers in St Mary’s who run small food, drink or farm enterprises, the Maryland example demonstrates how policy, marketing support and farmer-producer partnerships can combine to create added value. The specifics differ on each side of the Atlantic, but the underlying message is familiar: close ties between field and bottle can strengthen local economies and give small producers an edge in an increasingly competitive market.
