Jack S.
Yelp
So there we were, smack in the middle of the holiday season, on a quest for the ultimate in DIY holiday cheer. Sagamore's Classic Cocktails Class was calling our names because, let's face it, who needs a bartender when you can learn to shake and stir like a pro yourself?
We navigated our way through Port Covington, just past the future Under Armour HQ, found a spot in the parking lot of the future Rye Tavern Restaurant, then wound our way along the future sidewalks past the future occupancy apartment buildings.
Clearly Baltimore's version of a Chinese Ghost City, the only signs of life were two rent-a-cops on patrol. Were we too late for the apocalypse? Had the city been evacuated, and we missed the memo? Note to self: always check FEMA alerts before heading to Port Covington.
The Sagamore Distillery itself stood as a beacon of civilization in this eerily quiet landscape. Its massive gift shop tempted us with all things Sagamore branded -- booze, cocktail sets, clothes, and yes, even candles. We snagged one because nothing says Rye Whiskey like a sandalwood scented soy candle with hints of amber and musk.
Eventually we were summoned into a classroom setting with two tiers of tables and chairs facing a huge set of screens displaying crime-free photos of the Baltimore waterfront (clearly computer generated).
Now, as a devout Old Turkey enthusiast, I approached Sagamore Rye with a mix of skepticism and...more skepticism. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make for the sake of yuletide merriment.
Our instructor, Jake, embodied the quintessential distillery worker -- bearded, LL Bean-ish, John Deere style baseball cap, someone who clearly knows his way around a vat of corn mash.
I suspected many of our fellow classmates leaned more towards Orange Crushes and Fireball shots in their regular repertoire of libations, rather than Sazeracs and Black Manhattans. But hey, who am I to judge?
Jake masterfully guided us through the alchemy of cocktail preparation, arming each student with the tools and ingredients to craft a Sazerac and a Black Manhattan. All the while, he regaled us with tales of Maryland Rye Whiskey -- a tipple with a sweeter and milder profile compared to its rye counterparts.
In conclusion, if you ever find yourself wandering through the empty streets of Port Covington, wondering if everyone else got the memo about the evacuation, do yourself a favor: head to Sagamore's Classic Cocktails Class. It's a fantastic way to spend an evening, learning the art of mixology while pondering the mysteries of urban development.