On November 17, 2022 Covalent officially opened their doors to customers in Westminster, Maryland. More than 60 people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, including current Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. Jenn had been considering the industry since 2013, but began in earnest in 2019.
Jennifer Yang is Covalent's “Chief Thinker”. She is a science geek at heart, and a tremendous promoter, of her brand, and of Maryland's spirits industry at large. Her husband Drew is their “Chief Taster” and product quality control guru. Westminsyer was formerly home to Sherwood Distilling, back in the day, and Jenn used this as inspiration, as well as renovating City Garage building site, home to one of the oldest garages in the area. Jennifer is a fun person to chat with. She's knowledgeable about the industry, and has a special energy that is intoxicating all by itself!
Covalent producers a wide range of spirits. The produce a Vodka Distilled from 100% corn, which is very drinkable; an Oolong Vodka, which sees their corn vodka infused it with rich, dark oolong tea to create a bold and complex flavor (outstanding!); an incredibly aromatic citrus-forward, craft Gin; a Cucumber Gin with notes of fresh melon and cucumber; and a Barrel Aged Rum distilled from molasses and brown sugar.
My favorite of everything was the covalent Spirits Bourbon Whiskey which is made from a mash bill of 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% malted barley. Aged 4-6 years in new charred oak barrels, the whiskey is harvested two barrels at a time and produce two different batches. Every blend is different. In Late December 2023 they released Batch #9! Batch 8 had been an unfiltered, cask strength edition.
I loved this whiskey. The high corn content makes for a beautiful, smoother whiskey, with lovely notes of cereal, cornbread, buttered popcorn, a hint of Christmas spice, ending with caramel and toffee. A terrific small batch craft bourbon! If you're in Westminster, you cannot go, without visiting Covalent Spirits! Fantastic!