LYON RUM NAMED BEST US CRAFT RUM DISTILLERY FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

LYON RUM, the flagship spirit of Windon Distilling Company, is the 2021 Best Craft Rum Distillery in the annual USAToday 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, making the small-batch distillery the recipient of the coveted title for the second year in a row.

Selected by a panel of industry experts and rum aficionados, LYON RUM is the only Maryland distillery ranked among the 20 finalists, for the past five years.

“We love rum and are thrilled to be honored as the best, and perhaps most beloved, rum distillery again this year,” says Jaime Windon, founder & CEO of Windon Distilling Company. 

The distillery is currently in the process of renovating and expanding to offer an enhanced visitor experience, including a new tasting room and cocktail space, so that they can continue educating and delighting visitors on the versatility and nuances of rum, or as Windon refers to it, “America’s original spirit.” 

“As a small brand embarking on our ninth year, it’s quite an honor to be nominated among these other great American rums. Even more rewarding is knowing that we have the support and love from the actual people who enjoy what we make. My job is to get the rum to those people – across Maryland, in both stores and restaurants, and also now, direct to their doorstep!” noted Jessi Windon, VP of sales, and the official rum runner of LYON RUM.

In addition to supplying the state of Maryland through its own wholesale division, LYON RUM is distributed across the Mid-Atlantic and areas of the South, in a total of nine states. Through special extended legislation, the distillery will continue its popular home delivery service – free to all Maryland zip codes – through the end of 2022, as well as offer direct shipping through a third-party retailer to over 40 states. 

Head distiller Brett Steigerwaldt, who has been with the company since 2016, reflects that “Winning this title two years in a row is huge! It is confirmation that people are taking notice of the exceptional rums being made by our passionate and dedicated team – and this honor helps us continue to show the world the potential for American rum.”

In 2013 LYON RUM became the first rum in decades to be distilled in Maryland, and for the last 8 years the distillery has been a leader in the industry, working to further redefine the category of new American rum and advance the legislative goals of small distillers across the country. LYON RUM // Windon Distilling Company is a proud member of the Maryland Distillers Guild, the American Craft Spirits Association, the American Distilling Institute, and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Jaime Windon serves on the DISCUS Craft Advisory Council, and also leads the Maryland Distillers Guild’s Legislative Committee.

 

LYON RUM // Windon Distilling Company
605 S. Talbot St. #6 
Saint Michaels, Maryland
www.allyouneedisrum.com

www.lyonrum.com

Fall into St. Michaels to return October 23 – 24, 2021

 
The change of the season brings excitement and vibrant color to the Town of St. Michaels, as residents and businesses celebrate their annual harvest festival “Fall into St. Michaels” October 23-24, 2021.    The change of the season brings excitement and vibrant color to the town, as residents and businesses celebrate Fall into St. Michaels.  Enjoy our fabulous restaurants, charming boutiques and galleries, or take a boat ride out on the water for some local history and sights.    Stay in our inns and B & B's for some much needed relaxation. The autumn months are a perfect time to visit St. Michaels for a romantic retreat or a family get away.     

Fall into St. Michaels festivities begin with the town-wide scarecrow contest starting on Saturday, October 16, 2021. Participating businesses will compete in the Scarecrow Contest, where each business will have the chance to win in one of the following three categories: Traditional, Whimsical or Humorous.

 The following weekend, October 23rd thru October 24th the Fall into St. Michaels festivities go into full swing on Saturday, October 22nd with the return of the highly anticipated Pumpkin Carving contest will return where participating St. Michaels Business Association businesses will sponsor the pumpkins, which are carved by experienced and novice carvers alike, each striving for the top spot in one of the pumpkin categories.  The pumpkin carving will be held at the St. Michaels Community Center on Saturday, October 23rd starting at 10:00am.  

Judging takes place 1:00pm - 1:30pm and then the pumpkins will remain on display until 6:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am thru 2:00pm on Sunday.  Winners for scarecrow and pumpkin contests will be announced on www.stmichaelsmd.org 

 The St. Michaels Community Center Annual Pumpkin Pie Competition will be held during the Pumpkin Carving Contest at the St. Michaels Community Center. The Pumpkin Pie Competition is open to professionals, home bakers and children. Each group will be judged on traditional or creative creations. Cash prizes will be awarded to top three winners in each category, and of course, bragging rights and a plaque go to the winners. Participating bakers must submit 2 – 3 pies of the same recipe.  The St. Michaels Community Center will be selling pieces and whole pies of those entered. Judging will begin at 10:00 am and sales will begin at 11:00am. Proceeds of the bake sale will benefit the programs and activities of the St. Michaels Community Center. Please contact the SMCC 410-745-6073 for more information or to register as an entrant. The St. Michaels Community Center is located on the corner of Railroad Street and Fremont Street.

The Galley Restaurant will host their first Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest on Saturday afternoon, visit their website to register.  www.thegalleysaintmichaels.com

Dog owners from all over Maryland join the residents of St. Michaels on Sunday on the lawn at the St. Michaels Inn for the annual Jack Russell Races. This year’s races will begin at 11:00 am. Registration is available online and at 10 a.m. that morning.  The proceeds from the benefit will go to St. Michaels Community Food Bank and Humane of Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester Counties.

The races will be broken down into categories: Jack Russell, Dachshund Dash and the famous “So Your Dog Thinks He’s a Jack” race. All dogs are welcome at the event, big or small, racing or not, to mingle with other dog lovers in Talbot County. Dogs under 25 pounds are welcome to race.
The event will be held, rain or shine! Refreshments, including Coffee & Donuts and a Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar, will be available on site. There will be live raffles of items from area restaurants and retailers between races! Registration can be made ahead of time or at the event.   Mimosas and Bloody Mary bar will be available, as well as a great time watching the races.  The Jack Russell races will not happen if there is inclement weather. 

For this and more events happening around St. Michaels this Fall and Winter season please visit our website www.stmichaelsmd.org. 

 

Save the Date for our Midnight Madness event on Saturday, December 4, 2021.

Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XXXVII is Oct. 1–3

From Friday–Saturday, Oct. 1–3, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will once again host one of the nation’s largest gatherings of small boat enthusiasts and unique watercraft at Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XXXVII.  

 

During the festival, CBMM guests can marvel at the craftsmanship and innovation used in traditional and contemporary small craft while enjoying CBMM’s waterfront campus and indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Hundreds of amateur and professional boatbuilders and enthusiasts come from all over the region to display their one-of-a-kind kayaks, canoes, and other traditional small craft. 

   

Sailing skiffs, rowing shells, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, prams, and one-of-a-kind boats will be on display and in the water throughout this family-oriented event. Small craft owners hailing from all over the country will also be available to share their knowledge and boating experiences with guests 

  

On Saturday, CBMM Shipyard staff and Chesapeake Wooden Boat Builders School instructors will be on hand to offer boatbuilding and maritime demonstrations. Also beginning at 1pm on Saturday will be a lively Miles River race of small craft, which can be viewed from CBMM’s waterfront and docks.  

 

Festival-goers will be able to vote for their favorite boat, with the People’s Choice award and others announced among participants on Saturday evening. Limited offerings will be available for the public to see on Sunday. 

  

For safety reasons, dogs are not permitted on museum grounds during CBMM festivals, with the exception of certified service dogs.  

  

Public entrance to the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival is included with CBMM’s general admission, which is good for two consecutive days and free for CBMM members. Hours are 9am–5pm each day. For more information, visit cbmm.org/smallcraftfestival. Anyone looking to participate as an exhibitor should visit cbmm.org/mascfparticipants.