Production places
Connections to water sources, peat places, maltings, cooperages, warehouses and maturation sites. Uncertain connections are labelled.
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LYON RUM // Windon Distilling
Short Overview of the Distillery
LYON RUM is Windon Distilling Company's cane-to-glass craft distillery in Saint Michaels on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The distillery is exclusively devoted to rum, producing everything from raw Louisiana sugar and molasses, double-distilled in small pot stills, to barreled, infused and bottled on-site. A small team handles the entire process, and visitors can taste in the Spirit Shop & Tasting Room or experience Golden Hour, the distillery’s cocktail bar and private rooms.
History
Founded in 2012, Windon Distilling Company has built a clear focus: to make handcrafted American rum in very small batches. Jaime Windon, founder and president, brought experience from the bar and hospitality industry as well as international travel and research to the project and today leads both operations and sales. In 2016 Gray Wolf Spirits began to be produced on-site by another team, and in 2017 the distillery marked its first five years with a short video. In the years that followed the brand repeatedly received recognition, including several placements as Best Craft Rum Distillery in USA TODAY 10Best (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024) and in 2025 a Best in Class award from the American Craft Spirits Association for Sailors Reserve Rum. Meanwhile, the founder actively works in trade organizations and local committees to strengthen the craft spirits scene in Maryland.
Raw Materials and Production
The production is cane-to-glass: the distillery ferments from raw Louisiana sugar and molasses and double-distills in small pot stills. The entire process—from sourcing sugar and molasses to distillation, barreling, infusion, bottling, and labeling—takes place with a small, tight-knit team, enabling close quality control in ultra-small batches. Head distiller and the rest of the production team work with artisanal choices rather than industrial volume. In addition to pure rums, they also develop rum liqueurs and infusions, which require extra steps after distillation, such as adding flavor ingredients and adjusted filling and bottling routines.
Aging and Barrel Types
The distillery’s text notes that the spirits are barreled and stored on-site, and that bottling and infusion also take place on-site. There are no specified details about cask types, previous fills, use of new oak, or aging durations, but barreling is a fixed part of the workflow for selected releases and for Sailors Reserve.
Whiskies
The portfolio includes both classic rum varieties and flavor excursions: a white rum, a dark rum, Sailors Reserve as a featured release, the signature product Rock & Rum, as well as liqueurs and special editions such as Curaçao, Coffee Rum, and seasonal specialties. The assortment is produced in small batches and includes both pure distillates and infused/liqueur products. Gray Wolf Spirits is also produced at the same address as a separate line, sold locally.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LYON White Rum | Rum | White rum in the Lyon range; produced on-site from raw cane sugar and molasses and double-distilled in small pot stills. | Current; Core range; Maryland, direct from the distillery |
| LYON Dark Rum | Rum | Dark variant in the Lyon range, produced on-site as part of the distillery’s core range. | Current; Core range; Maryland, direct from the distillery |
| LYON Sailors Reserve | Rum | Sailors Reserve is part of the Lyon range and was highlighted by the American Craft Spirits Association with Best in Class in 2025. | Current; Core range; Distillery and selected retailers in the Maryland region |
| LYON Rock & Rum | Rum | A signature product that also inspired a cocktail (Rum Old Fashioned). | Current; Core range; Distillery and local retailers |
| LYON Curaçao | Rum (liqueur / variant) | Curaçao edition in the Lyon portfolio; one of the current variants and specialties. | Current; Core range; Distillery and selected local outlets |
| LYON Coffee Rum | Rum liqueur | Coffee liqueur/coffee rum noted as a product in the range and mentioned in an interview as suitable for cocktails such as espresso martini. | Current; Core range; Distillery and local outlets |
| Seasonal Specialties | Seasonal products / Liqueurs | Seasonal releases and specialties as part of the Lyon range’s rotating offerings. | Current (category); Distillery (Spirit Shop) and seasonal points of sale |
General Flavor Profile
Visit the Distillery
The distillery publicly welcomes visitors in a Spirit Shop & Tasting Room (Suite #6), where complimentary samples are available daily from 11:00 AM. Golden Hour (Suite #8) serves as a cocktail bar, private tasting room and event space and is open Saturdays 12–18; in peak season (Memorial Day–Labor Day) there are also open Friday evenings and some Thursday afternoons. Private groups can book by appointment. In addition, the distillery offers delivery in Maryland via a Rum Van and sells directly from the Spirit Shop.
The stated hours are Spirit Shop & Tasting Room (Suite #6) open daily at 11 for complimentary samples. Golden Hour (Suite #8) open Saturdays 12–18; in peak season (Memorial Day–Labor Day) also most Friday evenings and some Thursday afternoons; private groups by reservation.
Philosophy and Craft
The company’s core values are a clear focus on rum and full control over raw materials and processes. Production is described as 'cane-to-glass' and 'handcrafted,' with deliberate sourcing of raw Louisiana sugar and molasses. Small batches, an engaged local team, and a desire to elevate the perception of American, cane-based spirits permeate both product development and the guest experience.
Awards and Recognitions
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Best in Class; Gold & Silver Medals (2025) for Sailors Reserve Rum
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Best Craft Rum Distillery (10Best) (2024, Best Craft Rum Distillery)
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Best Craft Rum Distillery (10Best) (2022, Best Craft Rum Distillery)
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Best Craft Rum Distillery (10Best) (2021, Best Craft Rum Distillery)
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Best Craft Rum Distillery (10Best) (2020, Best Craft Rum Distillery)