At Meinelschmidt Distillery in Hagerstown, Maryland, there is a deliberate effort taken to craft spirits with an integrity that can't be rushed, bought, or faked. Founded by Cort and Chelsea Meinelschmidt, the distillery is the result of two things that pair beautifully together: a deep love for handcrafted whiskey and a devotion to doing things the right way.
The story began in 2019, when a change in Maryland's regulation enabled the duo to craft the distillery operation they had long dreamed of building. "My wife and I love to travel, and we'd find these little distilleries and just fell in love with the people in the industry," Cort says. "So when the laws changed in July of 2019, we decided it was time to do something for our own community."
From the start, Meinelschmidt Distillery was built around a philosophy of keeping quality at the heart of their offerings. "Our quality-first principle has been a core part of the distillery since its very first day," Cort says. "We may not be able to compete on price, so we go above and beyond to compete on quality."
That commitment to quality begins at the grain level. According to Cort, every bottle is made using local, non-GMO grains, like white winter wheat, including heirloom varieties like bloody butcher corn, an uncommon combination curated to bring a distinctive sweetness and smoothness to their spirits. "We want the flavor of the grains to come through," he explains. "We're not just selling another bottle of whiskey; we want to make something that people truly enjoy." Meinelschmidt Distillery's craft was most recently recognized, with the title of Maryland's Best Farmer's Choice Award and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year award.
The distilling process at Meinelschmidt Distillery is designed to be deliberate and distinctive. "We pull off the still between 135 and 140 proof for the best flavor. Though barreling at 125 proof could boost profits, we barrel at 108 because it makes a better whiskey, and that's what truly matters." Meinelschmidt explains.
That approach has paid off. In 2022 and 2023, their Cask Strength Wheated whiskey from Meinelschmidt Distillery scored 93 points in a blind tasting at the Bartender Spirits Awards. Since then, the distillery has earned numerous local, national, and international accolades, including medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Tokyo Whiskey and Spirits Competition 2024, and the Bartender Spirits Awards.
But beyond craftsmanship and accolades, Meinelschmidt Distillery carries a purpose that reaches far beyond the barrel. A former Navy rescue swimmer, Cort has made sure that every bottle tells a story of courage and sacrifice. On the back label of each whiskey, the distillery honors a Medal of Honor recipient, sharing their story with every customer. A portion of the proceeds from each sale is intended to go to military veteran programs and nonprofits supporting servicemen and women. "It's something that's very personal to us," Cort says. "We wanted to find a way to give back through what we love."
That spirit of integrity has also guided the company's business philosophy. Whether it's their Maryland Rye Whiskey or Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the company is committed to ensuring that every drop has been mashed, fermented, and distilled on-site. Nothing is bought, blended, or outsourced. "We're proud of that," Cort says. "Everything in the bottle is ours."
Today, Meinelschmidt's whiskey has grown far beyond Maryland. The distillery now ships across most of the US and has begun exporting internationally, including a forthcoming expansion into Japan. "The demand has been unprecedented. We're going to need to expand the distillery with a bigger still just to keep up," he says. "What we're making now, we won't sell for another three or four years; it's all aging, building a richer taste profile."
Crafting a legacy has been pivotal to Cort and Chelsea Meinelschmidt, one that is defined by patience, principle, and a genuine love for their craft. "We just want to make great whiskey," Cort says. "And we want to do it the right way, our way." In every bottle of Meinelschmidt's whiskey and bourbon, there's a story of perseverance, precision, and purpose, which stands as proof that just like their spirits, the finest things in life take time.
