OUR STORY

LYON RUM is the flagship spirit of Windon Distilling Company, located in Saint Michaels, Maryland, steps from the Chesapeake Bay. The distillery launched on 12/7/13 with a signature line of rums paying tribute to the rich, spirited traditions of the Eastern Shore. LYON RUM starts with intentionally-sourced raw ingredients: 100% Louisiana cane sugar & molasses, and is truly hand-crafted – fermented & double-distilled in small pot stills – every step of the way, resulting in a wonderfully unique final product. The goal is to create a distinct & expressive American spirit – working to define the category of New American Rum, while experimenting with inspired infusions & finishes. Every spirit passes through the hands, and discerning palates, of the small + dedicated LYON RUM team.

Founder Jaime Windon has a lifelong habit of saying yes to crazy ideas. Her curiosity and love of learning took her all over the US, where she spent many years working in the hospitality industry as a bartender, before cavorting around the globe as a journalist and photographer. Traveling through Europe, India and the Caribbean, and living in London & Kenya, broadened her knowledge of, and affinity for, obscure and rare flavors. Jaime loves twists on classics, will gladly tell you how to make a flawless Rum Old Fashioned (the inspiration for LYON Rock & Rum), a Rum Negroni, or the perfect Classic Daiquiri.  She believes that there is a rum for all occasions, and loves introducing remarkable and innovative American rum to everyone she meets.

Intrigued by the resurgence of small-scale craft distilling, and always fueled by the desire to create something new & notable, Jaime is proud to have had a hand in reviving the illustrious history of Maryland distilling. She currently oversees operations & sales at the distillery, and works constantly to promote and grow the craft spirits industry. These days you can find her in the Golden Hour slinging drinks and cracking jokes.

A founding member and inaugural president of the Maryland Distillers Guild, Jaime serves as the chair of the Government Affairs Committee. She was recently appointed chair of the Advisory Commission on Maryland Alcohol Manufacturing by Governor Wes Moore. Nationally, she serves as Vice President on the American Craft Spirits Association Board of Directors and the National Small Business Association Leadership Council. In recent years she served on the DISCUS Craft Advisory Council, the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, and completed two terms as a town commissioner in Saint Michaels. 

The LYON RUM production team is currently comprised of a passionate crew of rum lovers, rum makers, & rum runners. Our collaborative goal is to create incredible, one-of-a-kind spirits – spreading the RUMLOVE by delighting, educating, entertaining & welcoming visitors to our Booze Factory.

{ OUR TEAM }

 

LYON RUM was named the Best Craft Rum Distillery in the USA TODAY 10Best contest 4x: 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020

OUR 5YR VIDEO [2017]

In 2016, Gray Wolf Spirits joined the party – husband & wife team RB Wolfensberger & Meghan Brown. Developing their own distinct line of spirits, while sharing our space, they mash, ferment, distill, barrel & bottle their growing portfolio here, alongside LDC. On 10/31/16 we proudly debuted Lone Vodka & on 7/1/17 released the first batch of barrel-rested Timber Gin. In May 2019 Lobo became Maryland’s 1st Agave Spirit and in October of 2020 they released an eponymous 4 year Solera-style Maryland Rye Whiskey.