Jaime Windon
Founder and President of Windon Distilling
Jaime Windon was born and raised in Laurel Maryland. While she has lived in some very exotic locations, which has influenced her considerably, she considers herself a Marylander.
Jaime worked in the hospitality industry across the United States. While tending bar, she developed an appreciation for a perfectly balanced cocktail. After living in South America and Kenya, and traveling throughout Europe and India, Jaime developed a taste for obscure and unique flavors. Intrigued by the resurgence of small-scale craft distilling in America, she and her partner Ben Lyon founded Lyon Distilling Company in 2013. These events fueled a desire in Jaime to create something new and notable and gave Jaime the opportunity to put a twist on the classic cocktails.
After parting ways with her former head distiller in 2018, she promoted Brett Steigerwaldt to that position, taking their rum production to the next level, and rebranded the distillery in 2019 as the Windon Distilling Company, with LYON RUM as their flagship product. Jaime states that “People mostly refer to the distillery as LYON RUM or conversationally, as the Lyon Rum Distillery.”
From the beginning, Jaime and her team were focused on rum, but with small whiskey side projects (a handful of tiny batches of Maryland Rye, New Make Corn Whiskey, and American Single Malt). There have been many organizational and stylistic changes over the years, notably no more whiskey production, and instead a 100% focus on cane-to-glass rum.
Jaime says “I love that we were able to play a role in the story of the revival of Maryland Rye, and pay homage to the state’s historical spirit, but the truth is, rum is my true love. My heart has always been set on making remarkable American rum and am committed to elevating the rum experience for everyone I meet, delighting our visitors daily with the versatility and flavors that rum has to offer.”
Lyon Distilling Company was the first Maryland Rye Whiskey distiller to re-introduce rye whiskey distilled in Maryland since 1972. Lyon Free State Rye Whiskey rekindled a heritage that has grown into the booming Maryland whiskey industry that exists today.
Jaime Windon has had a hand in reviving the history of Maryland distilling. She is an advocate who promotes and grows the Maryland craft spirits industry. Jaime was a founding member of the Maryland Distillers Guild (MDG) and inaugural president. She currently serves as the Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. She was appointed by the Maryland Governor to serve as Chair of the Advisory Commission on Maryland Alcohol and Manufacturing. Jaime serves as member of the American Craft Spirits Association Board of Directors. She also sits on the National Small Business Association Leadership Council. In recent years Jaime has been on the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) Craft Advisory Council, The Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, and completed two terms as a town commissioner for St. Michael’s Maryland.
Jaime and her team share a collaborative goal… to create incredible, one-of-a-kind spirits. She is the ultimate ambassador for ALL Maryland spirits and works tirelessly for the benefit of Maryland small craft distillers while creating award winning rum!
