Kevin Plank's Whiskey Distillery Nears Completion

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Sagamore Spirit distillery, the first project in the Port Convington redevelopment, is nearing completion.

On Thursday, a vital piece of equipment was installed -- the first column still.

Its 40 feet tall and 3,700 pounds, American made and crafted with copper and stainless steel. And it now sits in the heart of the five-acre distillery.

"It has 19 distillation trays so it truly makes the best whiskey possible," said Brian Treacy, President of Sagamore Spirit.

The project has made significant progress since construction began in August, and they're on track to open by the end of this year.

Sagamore Spirit is the first development in the multi billion dollar revitalization plan for Port Covington.

"This is Baltimore's front porch and our job and our mission is making porch as fine and second to none as any destination in the country in the world," says Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, who owns the whiskey company and is spearheading the 260-acre project, a prosperous transformation promising limitless economic potential.

Beginning with this waterfront distillery campus, bringing back Marylands old tradition of rye whiskey production is helping to re-energize our city.

"Creating a destination where people can come and visit and giving another reason for people to come visit this great city and great state," said Treacy.

The campus will also have a restaurant and tasting room, and developers expect to welcome more than 100,000 visitors per year.

The whiskey, meanwhile, is already available. It hit local shelves in May.

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