Old Line Spirits plans to start distilling this summer

Anew Baltimore-based distillery plans to start producing whiskey in the city this summer, joining a growing number of micro-distilleries in the state.

Old Line Spirits, founded by Baltimore residents Mark McLaughlin and Arch Watkins, will start production of a flagship product, Old Line American Single Malt Whiskey, the owners said. They have not announced a permanent location for Old Line.

Craft distilling has begun gaining a foothold in the state. In February, 11 businesses that produce spirits formed the Maryland Distillers Guild.

McLaughlin and Watkins started Old Line after acquiring Golden Distillery in Washington state in April and moving the equipment and barreled whiskey to Baltimore. The single-malt whiskey, which will be rebranded under the Old Line name and available this summer, is made from American malted barley distilled in a copper pot still and aged for two years in charred white oak barrels.

“We see our version of American single- malt whiskey as something different and exciting,” Watkins said in an announcement. that the federal commission’s approval will be upheld. Federal and state regulators have rejected opponents’ earlier bids to halt the project, company spokesman Karl Neddenien said. “It should be noted that the Earthjustice appeal has been pending for weeks before this ‘emergency’ stay was sought,” he added. petition is Dec. 31, not June 1 as the letter says. “SDAT is not a part of this questionable business practice in which there is no guarantee that an appeal will result in a property tax savings,” said Owen Charles, the department’s acting director.