Blackwater Distilling Inc. has announced the launch of its flagship spirit, Sloop Betty Vodka, a wheat-and sugar cane-based craft product. Part of an elite group of just 200 craft distilleries in the entire country, Blackwater Distilling is Maryland’s first federally and state-licensed beverage alcohol distillery in more than three decades. The distribution area initially covers Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.
Sloop Betty is a super-premium, kosher-certified vodka crafted on the Eastern Shore by Marylanders Christopher Cook and Jon Cook.
“Betty is more than a pretty face,” said Christopher Cook, CEO of Blackwater Distilling. “In 2005, after coming across an archive of long-forgotten spirits, my brother, Jon, and I have made it our passion to hand craft spirits made from Maryland-sourced and other select ingredients.”
Widespread distribution is set to launch April 1st, but Sloop Betty has already been seen in select restaurants and on store shelves, such as Baltimore’s Woodberry Kitchen and Kooper’s Tavern.
“Over the past five years, we’ve perfected the recipe for a smooth and balanced wheat-and sugar cane-based vodka,” said Jon Cook, Blackwater Distilling’s COO, who developed the company’s production and quality assurance process. “We use exceptional raw sources of wheat and sugar cane to craft Sloop Betty because that combination yields the cleanest, balanced spirit of the highest quality. Our proprietary process weeds out undesirable elements, such as burn from the wheat and excess sweetness from the cane.”
Thought the price will vary at individual retail outlets, Sloop Betty will be available for around $32. For more information about Sloop Betty, visit www.sloopbetty.com.
