Crafting Excellence: A Conversation with Mark from Old Line Spirits
I had the pleasure of chatting with Mark, one of the co-founders of Old Line Spirits, a distillery based in Baltimore, Maryland. Mark and his business partner, Arch Watkins, started Old Line almost a decade ago with the goal of producing bourbon and rye whiskey. However, their journey took an unexpected turn when they had the opportunity to learn from two gentlemen on the West Coast who were making exceptional American single malt whiskey.
Mark shares the story of how they fell in love with the American single malt produced by these gentlemen and eventually took over their business, relocating it to Baltimore. He describes the logistics of moving the distillery equipment, including their small 60-gallon still, in a U-Haul across the country. They have since expanded their operation and now have a 25,000 square foot facility in Baltimore.
Old Line Spirits focuses heavily on American single malt whiskey, using new charred oak barrels for aging. Mark explains that their decision to use virgin oak barrels was influenced by their love for American whiskey and the flavors it imparts. They aim to deliver the flavors that bourbon drinkers love but in a different package.
We also discuss the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission and the proposed definition for American single malt whiskey. Mark expresses his satisfaction with the definition and how it allows for innovation while still protecting the category. He mentions a discussion around the use of artificial coloring, but he doesn't recall the final decision.
Mark shares details about Old Line Spirits' distribution, which currently includes Maryland, DC, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Colorado. They have recently updated their website to integrate an e-commerce platform, allowing customers to purchase their products online and ship to 42 states.
We delve into the process of building blends at Old Line Spirits. Mark explains that they blend four, five, six, and seven-year-old barrels to achieve their desired flavor profile. They maintain consistency by always keeping a portion of the previous batch in their blending tank. Mark emphasizes the importance of hand-holding and tasting samples to ensure the desired flavor profile is achieved.
Towards the end of the episode, Mark introduces the Ohana Blend, a 50-50 blend of their American single malt finished in cognac and armagnac casks. He explains that the name Ohana means family and shares the story of how they partnered with a rowing team to raise funds for children's cancer research and Canines for Warriors. They will be releasing a rye whiskey in the future, which will be a limited, recurring offering.
Overall, this episode provides a fascinating insight into the world of Old Line Spirits and their dedication to producing exceptional American single malt whiskey. Mark's passion for their products and the industry shines through, making for an engaging and informative conversation.
🔗 Links:
https://www.oldlinespirits.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OldLineSpirits/
https://www.instagram.com/oldlinespirits/
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