Today we’d like to introduce you to Cort Meinelschmidt.
Hi Cort , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We opened up Meinelschmidt Distillery in March 2021. The goal was to bring life back to Downtown Hagerstown, and to be a part of its revitalization. We envisioned a destination where locals would be proud to bring their guests, and a tourist stop that out of state visitors would remember every time they made their way back.
We chose downtown Hagerstown because my wife and I grew up here in Washington County. She was a teacher for the ARC of Washington County, working closely with their residential clients, and I was President of the Board of the ARC after my service in the Navy. Because of how involved we are with our community, we want to be the change that people always wish for their hometown.
Since 2021, we’ve won over 11 international awards, including being voted 2025 Maryland’s Best Whiskey, by the Farmer’s Choice. We commit to community charity events every year, and In 2025 we opened our restaurant and sports bar: Veva’s on Potomac, and The Dugout.
From the distillery to the restaurant, we only use locally sourced Washington County products.
From Ernst Grain Farm, which we use to make our whiskeys, to Hidden Valley Farms, where we get our fresh locally sourced beef for the steaks we use, we want to showcase all the good that is here at home in Washington County; so maintaining use of local businesses is a goal of ours.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been challenging to a point. With the distillery, keeping up with constant industry trends, and finding new ways to share our whiskeys with the world seems like work with no end. And because we are a small business, we (My wife, and I) find ourselves doing a lot of the work that keeps the entire thing going.
The common issue we have faced is showing the Good side of Hagerstown, the side that people don’t see, or are reluctant to see. And social media makes this difficult because you can’t please everybody and it seems as if there are more people with complaints than anything.
We just do what we can to show people that “oh man there are great places to eat… I’d love to stop by Veva’s to get some dinner before going to the Maryland Theatre”.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As founder and CEO of Meinelschmidt distillery, and Owner of Veva’s on Potomac and The Dugout, I constantly surround myself with people.
With the distillery, I make the whiskey; with the help of my wife Chelsea. I handle every part of the whiskey making process: Mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation, and finishing. We even do the bottling ourselves, which can all be seen from the upper level of our tasting room/bar.
At Meinelschmidt Distillery we have created a spirits identity that welcomes whiskey fans of every level. When someone comes in we want them to feel like what they are drinking belongs to them. Spirits should be shared, they’re a talking point to get to know people and appreciate the moment. We don’t want to be one of those whiskey makers who ends up alienating someone just because it isn’t something a “high profile” collector mentions to them.
With Veva’s and The Dugout I offer our community use of our catering services to give them a one of a kind dining experience for their businesses and guests. I have a one of a kind team of all star cooks who aren’t only creative on a culinary level, but deliver quality service from scratch.
How do you define success?
Success happens when you have people looking for your business. Success is when you see the smiles on people’s faces when they experience what you have to offer and they keep coming back.
Pricing:
- $55 – Meinelschmidt Straight bourbon
- $60 – Cask Strength Whiskey
- $55 – Maryland Rye Whiskey
- $64 – Meinelschmidt Bottled in Bond Bourbon
- $44 – Wheated Whiskey
Contact Info:
- Website: https://meineldistillery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meineldistillery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meineldistillery
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@meinelschmidt.distillery
