For the first time since 1808, the working distillery (recently reconstructed with the financial support of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States--it burned down in 1814) at George Washington's Virginia estate, Mount Vernon, will be selling whiskey made on-site, starting in June 2009. The story is here.
Back in 1797, Washington invested in a distillery on his plantation and within a year his distiller was producing 11,000 gallons of rye whiskey annually. Most of it was sold locally for a hefty profit. After Washington's death in 1799, production tailed off.
The spirit will be rye (60% rye, 35% corn, 5% barley)--of course--and young. Most spirits made during the period were aged only briefly, if at all. Washington's rye, apparently, was especially appreciated for it's quality--which means it did spend some time, however limited, in the barrel.
Mount Vernon has been selling a limited edition American whiskey since August 2008, but this is a blend of leading American whiskeys aged on-site--not produced on site. The new stuff will be the real thing.
The grains used in this revived version were milled on-site, making this the only eighteenth-century style whiskey made in an eighteenth-century style setting using eighteenth-century techniques and technologies. It may be the most authentic rye of all. Many thanks to Virginia State Senator Linda Puller for ensuring that the distillery--operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association--could get the appropriate state licensing to sell distilled spirits.
Rye patriots, gather at this shrine come June to drink the nectar of our country!
