Established in 2015, Old Line Spirits is a relatively new distillery located in Baltimore, MD. Theirs is the story of two ex-Navy guys who needed more than desk jobs after a life of excitment traveling the world over.
Mark McLaughlin and Arch Watkins first met in the Navy, flying EA-6B Prowlers. They were both stationed at the same base; the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island, in Washington state, although in different squadrons.
After more than a decade in a Reserve Prowler squadron and flying off of aircraft carriers, the two men both ended up settling down in Maryland. Coincidentally, they were neighbors in Baltimore as well; Mark working in finance and Arch in engineering. With the adventure of the Navy behind them, sitting still in civilian desk jobs just wasn’t enough for either of them. Their shared love of whiskey led them to their true calling: starting their own distillery. During a recent tasting Mark revealed that they originally thought they’d start a craft beer brewery but there was such a dearth of them in the Baltimore area that they followed their hearts, and palates, and started a whiskey distillery.
Website: Old Line
Whiskey Notes from the tasting group:
| WHISKEY | NOSE, PALATE & FINISH COMMENTS |
|---|---|
| Old Line American Single Malt Whiskey Distiller: Old Line Mash bill: 100% Malted Barley (90% Pale / 10% Toasted) Cask: Virgin Oak 3/4 Char – 10/30 Gallon Age: 2 year (2-4 but mostly 4 year) ABV/Proof: 43% / 86 | Cocoa on the palette; Buttery mouth feel |
| Old Line American Single Malt Whiskey – Cask Strength Distiller: Old Line Mash bill: 100% Malted Barley (90% Pale / 10% Toasted) Cask: Virgin Oak 3/4 Char – 10/30 Gallon Age: ABV/Proof: 60.9% / 121.8 | Nectarine and stone fruit; Gently oaked; Slight burn; Yeast and raw dough; |
| Old Line American Single Malt Whiskey – Sherry Cask Finish Distiller: Old Line Mash bill: 100% Malted Barley (90% Pale / 10% Toasted) Cask: Virgin Oak and Ex-Sherry Age: 2 Years ABV/Proof: 50% / 100 | Nutty and dark chocolate |
| Old Line Aged Caribbean Rum – Single Malt Cask Finish Distiller: Old Line Mash bill: N/A Cask: Ex-Bourbon Age: 7-ll year ABV/Proof: 50% / 100 | |
| Old Line American Single Malt Whiskey – Caribbean Rum Finish Distiller: Old Line Mash bill: 100% Malted Barley (90% Pale / 10% Toasted) Cask: Virgin Oak 3/4 Char – 10/30 Gallon / Rum Casks Age: 3 years (2 Whiskey / 1 Rum) ABV/Proof: 50% / 100 |
