A Farm-to-Glass Distillery in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve
Eleven years in the making, Song Dog Distillery officially opened its doors in October 2025 — bringing a true farm-to-glass operation to Maryland’s 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve.
Located on a 29-acre farm in Boyds, Song Dog blends sustainability, terroir, and craft distilling into a modern yet deeply agricultural experience
- Distillery: Song Dog
- Location: Boyds, Maryland
- Founded: 2014
- Building Opened: 2025
- Known for: Farm to Glass Whiskey & Spirits
- Visit Type: Hosted by Owner David & Distiller Kristian
The People Behind Song Dog
Song Dog is owned by husband-and-wife team David Harris and Megan Draheim, with Kristian Naslund serving as Head Distiller.
The idea began in 2014, rooted in a shared love of American whiskey. After early plans in Rockville were halted by COVID, the couple pivoted — purchasing farmland in Boyds in 2021 and fully embracing the Agricultural Reserve.
What could have been a setback became the defining feature of the project.
A Distillery in the Agricultural Reserve
Song Dog sits within Montgomery County’s protected Agricultural Reserve — a 93,000-acre farming region established to preserve agricultural land and limit overdevelopment.
The distillery itself is:
- 5,500 square feet
- Located on a 29-acre working farm
- Growing some of its own grain, with additional sourcing from nearby farm partners
It’s less than 10 minutes from Poolesville and about 15 minutes from Kentlands in Gaithersburg — but it feels intentionally removed.
For those searching for Maryland distilleries with outdoor seating, places to drink outside near Gaithersburg, or alternatives to breweries and wineries in the area, this location alone sets Song Dog apart.
A True Farm-to-Glass Philosophy
Environmental stewardship guides the entire operation — led in part by Draheim’s background as a conservation ecologist.
The approach includes:
- Groundwater used and recycled back into crops
- Spent grains returned to local livestock
- In-house production of all alcoholic components
- Long-term plans to grow additional grains and botanicals onsite
Everything alcoholic served at Song Dog is made in-house — including bourbon, rye, gin, vodka, liqueurs, vermouth, amaro, and ready-to-pour cocktails.
Their focus on terroir — the influence of land and climate on flavor — extends wine-world thinking into grain and whiskey.
The goal is to produce spirits that reflect the flavor of Montgomery County itself.
The Distillery & Production
Song Dog operates with a pot and column still configuration, allowing flexibility across whiskey and botanical spirits.
The team recently distilled their first whiskey at the new facility and barreled it in early December.
One of the most significant shifts at the new site is open fermentation, which should meaningfully influence the aromatic and textural profile of future releases.
During its early years, production took place at Sagamore Spirit and Middle West Spirits, largely due to COVID-era funding disruptions.
Importantly:
- It was always their grain
- Their yeast
- Their barrel specifications (including custom ISC barrels)
Now, the operation is fully transitioning to its intended in-house model and it has 4-5 year old whiskey that is truly their own while their on-site barrels age up.
Barrel Program
Song Dog’s barrel strategy includes:
- Heavy char with #1 toast
- Medium-plus char variations
These choices create structure and spice while maintaining the approachable character across the lineup.
The Whiskey
Bourbon
Mashbill: 70% Corn │ 25% Rye │ 5% Malted Barley
Age: min 4 yr
The bourbon drinks with a noticeable rye-driven spice — arguably more so than the rye expression itself and is very reminiscent of Tennessee distilled bourbons like George Dickel.
Across the board, I found it:
- Balanced
- Structured but gentle
- Spice-forward without aggression
- Approachable yet layered
Even with toast and char influence, nothing feels overworked.
Rye
Mashbill: 51% Rye │ 45% Corn │ 4% Malted Barley
Age: min 4 yr
While the bourbon carries a surprising rye spice presence, the rye itself drinks more measured and rounded than expected.
It leans:
- Clean
- Structured
- Approachable
- Integrated rather than sharp
Like the bourbon, it prioritizes drinkability without sacrificing character.
A Rare Cask Strength Moment
I first met David at the Whiskey Washback event in November, where Song Dog poured a rare cask strength expression.
His excitement was palpable — especially around the idea of building a true grain-to-glass distillery in the Agricultural Reserve. He even mentioned recognizing me from my online support and enthusiasm for what they were building, which made the moment feel especially full circle.
That cask strength bottle took the core lineup and turned it up to eleven.
It was easily my favorite pour of the entire Whiskey Washback event — bold, amplified, and deeply expressive without losing balance.
If the standard lineup shows restraint, the cask strength shows potential and what could be a limitless ceiling for Song Dog in the whiskey world.
The only downside? The bottle I tasted was one of only a handful that Kristian had pulled for the event and for a spirits competition. However, they hinted at plans to start to integrate similar bottles once their current barrels age more.
The Experience
One of the defining features of Song Dog is its large, comfortable open patio overlooking uninterrupted agricultural fields.
In warmer months, the 1,500-square-foot patio becomes the centerpiece — making it one of the more compelling options for those searching for:
- Outdoor distilleries in Maryland
- Dog-friendly patios near Gaithersburg
- Family-friendly places to drink outside
- Alternatives to breweries or wineries with open space
Even in cooler weather, outdoor patio heaters extend the season and keep the space usable.
Inside, the tasting room is capped at 49 guests, in accordance with Agricultural Reserve regulations. Rather than feeling restrictive, the limit preserves an intimate and relaxed atmosphere.
Beyond the tasting room, the full property includes acres of land for gatherings, food trucks, live music, and events
Rustic in concept.
Modern in execution.
It feels less like a production facility and more like a farm that happens to produce exceptional spirits.
Final Thoughts
What began as a whiskey dream in 2014 has evolved into something much broader — a working agricultural vision rooted in sustainability, terroir, and craft.
With open fermentation underway, barrels aging onsite, and long-term crop expansion planned, Song Dog is entering its most defining chapter.
From grain to glass, and from field to patio, this is one of the more compelling distillery destinations in the Maryland region.
This visit was hosted by the distillery. All thoughts are my own and not influenced by the experience.
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