Maryland’s Best Whiskey & Spirits Competition

Maryland’s Best, a program of The Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Maryland Grain Producers are excited to announce the return of the Maryland spirits competitions this summer during the annual Commodity Classic on July 23 at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park . 

The organizations have teamed up to recognize whiskey and spirits made with local Maryland grain and have developed two exciting competitions! The Maryland Grain Producers Association and the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board are offering cash incentives for both competitions totaling $3,800!

THE MARYLAND’S BEST FARMER’S CHOICE AWARD will be given to a local distiller who is using at least 50% or more Maryland grain in a whiskey. A panel of judges including Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Atticks and farmers from the Maryland Grain Producers will sample submissions and select the winner for  the third annual Farmer’s Choice Award! The winner will be announced at the Maryland Commodity Classic on July 23 at Queen Anne County’s 4-H Park, 100-332 Dulin Clark Road, Centreville MD 21617.

Distillers who are interested should note the following:

• All submissions must be a whiskey made with 50% or more local Maryland grain and each distiller can only submit one whiskey. 
• One bottle must be delivered to Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S Truman Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21401 by Thursday, June 25 at 5pm. 
• The following submission form must be completed by Thursday, Thursday, June 25 at 5pm as well. 
• The winner will receive $1,000, a Maryland’s Best trophy and all the bragging rights. 
• Entries will be judged blind and will be a preference competition, though judges will receive a 3-4 sentence description of the whiskey, written by the distiller. 

THE MARYLAND’S BEST COCKTAIL AWARD will be held during the Maryland Commodity Classic and will be a people’s choice award. Attendees of the event will sample and vote on their top three favorites. Distillers’ base spirit in the cocktail must be made with 50% or more Maryland grain and they are also encouraged to use additional local ingredients to enhance their cocktails (like local fruits). Three winners will be announced at the end of the event and all will receive cash prizes. Please note: this competition is limited to 6 entries and will be based on a first come, first serve basis. All forms must be submitted by the deadline to be considered. 

Distillers who are interested should note the following:

• All submissions must have a base spirit made with 50% or more local Maryland grain and each distiller can only submit one cocktail. 
• Distillers (or a representative) must be able to attend and pour at the Commodity Classic. Whoever pours must be 21+ and be TIPs certified (or comparable certification). 
• You will need enough samples for 200 people and samples should be no bigger than 3oz. 
• The submission form must be completed by Thursday, June 25 at 5pm.
• A table, chair, ice, and cups will be provided.
• Each cocktail entry will receive a $200 stipend.
• The top three winners will receive $500, $300, and $150 prizes and a certificate from Maryland’s Best.