ILLVA SARONNO
HOLDING MEETS THE TRADITION OF SAGAMORE SPIRIT
Sep 2023
On 15th September Illva Saronno announced a majority stake purchase of shares of Baltimore based Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey brand and distillery. The deal supports the long-term growth of both companies and strengthens Illva Saronno Holding’s presence in the United States. The acquisition also creates the opportunity for Illva Saronno Holding S.p.A. to expand their whiskey portfolio beyond The Busker Irish Whiskey into American rye whiskey.
Now we are glad to introduce you to Ryan Norwood, VP of Operations of Sagamore Spirit: we had the opportunity to interview him to find out more about the company. Ryan, we are glad to meet you.
Could you tell us something more about the Sagamore Spirit brand?
"Sagamore Spirit is driven to craft the world’s best rye whiskey. The legacy of Maryland Rye grounds us, but it’s today’s whiskey lovers across the globe who inspire us. We believe it’s time for a modern approach to American Whiskey, one that prioritizes an impactful grain to glass process, a connection to community, and a determination to create the greatest rye whiskey imaginable. The Spirit of Sagamore lives in our award-winning products and disciplined pursuit of excellence."
What about Sagamore Spirit’s connection with the territory and with the production cycle?
"Sagamore Farm has over 180 acres in production and the non-GMO corn crop at Sagamore Farm supplies 100% of the distillery’ s corn. Local farm partnerships create pathways for Maryland grain production and we committed to a flat per-pound rate and purchased seed up-front to reduce farmers’ financial risk and remove out-of pocket expenses to farmers.We planted our fìrst rye crop in 2018 and we harvested over 2.5 million pounds or 45,000 bushels of rye to-date. We have installed our own grain cleaner, mill, and silo to ensure quality. We have even become licensed grain dealers in MD to be able to provide MD grown rye to other distillers as the program continues to grow."
What is Sagamore Spirit’s flagship product?
"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 fìrst 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 fìnal spirit is proofed with limestone-fìltered water from our spring house built in 1909 in Baltimore and represents our team’s thoughtful approach to crafting a classic Maryland-style rye whiskey."