After expecting to open last year, the new Highlandtown distillery Old Line Spirits will celebrate its grand opening on Feb. 18, said co-owner Mark McLaughlin. The event will introduce visitors — who will be able to purchase Old Line’s rums and whiskey — to the facility’s production area and tasting room.
The 25,000-square-foot facility at 4201 E. Pratt St. was announced in 2015, and McLaughlin — along with his co-founder Arch Watkins — expected a soft opening this past November. McLaughlin said Old Line had to wait until all of its production equipment was operational at the new facility before opening. For instance, they had to wait until their bottling process was running, due to state law, before they could sell products to visitors.
“That was the last piece that needed to come into play — just having the operations fully going in the building so we could sell to the public,” McLaughlin said.
The grand opening is scheduled for noon-6 p.m. Feb. 18, McLaughlin said. Located at the intersection of East Pratt and Janney streets, Old Line plans to open to the public on Saturdays during that time going forward, with the potential to expand days and hours if needed, he said.
Whiskey is deeply rooted in the history of Maryland, which trailed only Kentucky and Pennsylvania in the spirit’s production post-Civil War. But after Prohibition, Maryland whiskey fell out of favor, and appeared destined to remain in the past tense.
That is now far from the case. A new generation…
Whiskey is deeply rooted in the history of Maryland, which trailed only Kentucky and Pennsylvania in the spirit’s production post-Civil War. But after Prohibition, Maryland whiskey fell out of favor, and appeared destined to remain in the past tense.
That is now far from the case. A new generation…
At the grand opening, he and Watkins will lead free tours. McLaughlin hopes to have a local food service and brewery on hand, too.
Old Line currently sells three products: the 84-proof Old Line Aged Caribbean Rum ($30 at the distillery), the 114-proof Old Line Aged Caribbean Rum Navy Strength ($45) and an 86-proof American Single-Malt Whiskey ($50). Each customer is permitted to purchase up to three bottles per visit, McLaughlin said.
Tread cautiously. That’s how Super Bowl advertisers are feeling in the fraught political landscape.
Tread cautiously. That’s how Super Bowl advertisers are feeling in the fraught political landscape.
Johnny Depp’s former business managers filed a cross-complaint against the actor Jan. 31 in response to a $25-million lawsuit filed Jan. 13 by Depp and Edward L. White, his new business manager, alleging fraud, negligence and breach of fiduciary duty. (Feb. 2, 2017)
Johnny Depp’s former business managers filed a cross-complaint against the actor Jan. 31 in response to a $25-million lawsuit filed Jan. 13 by Depp and Edward L. White, his new business manager, alleging fraud, negligence and breach of fiduciary duty. (Feb. 2, 2017)
With an opening date set, McLaughlin said he’s excited to finally open in Highlandtown, especially given how long it has taken.
“Arch and I have been at this for three years since we quit our old jobs and started this. It’s been a great experience but it’s been a long road,” said McLaughlin, a former Naval flight officer who later left a career in finance for distilling. “This cements that we are here, and we’re fully operating in the city.”
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