History: In 1797, George Washington constructed a 2,250 square foot whiskey distillery adjacent to his gristmill on the banks of Dogue Creek in Fairfax County. The enterprise became one of the largest whiskey distilleries in early America – producing 11,000 gallons in 1799, worth the then-substantial sum of $7500. Upon Washington ’s death in 1799, the complex was passed down to a relative who apparently was not equipped to run it, and he rented it to a local operator. The distillery ceased operating in 1814 when the building burned.
Restoration: In 2001, Mount Vernon began restoration of the distillery. A team of expert restoration architects, carpenters, archaeologists and historians took on the extraordinary challenge of authentically recreating the distillery using 18th century building techniques and historically appropriate materials. In fact, the distillery’s cornerstone is a sandstone block from the original 1793 U.S. Capitol and from the same vein of sandstone which George Washington used to build his distillery in 1797. The restored distillery opened to the public in April 2007.
Significance: The reconstructed distillery marks the only historic site in the country capable of showing the early American distilling process from seed to barrel. It serves as a national distilling museum and the gateway to The American Whiskey Trail, a cultural heritage and tourism initiative of Historic Mount Vernon and the Distilled Spirits Council.
Tours: The distillery is located three miles from the Mount Vernon estate. Between March 15th and October 31st, it is open for tours daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children 6-11 (price is discounted if combined with Mount Vernon admision).
The Whiskey: In 2003, for the first time in 200 years, George Washington’s own whiskey recipe was distilled by a team of master distillers, under special license from the Federal Government and the State of Virginia. This license allows Historic Mount Vernon to sell small amounts of commemorative spirits as part of the reconstructed distillery.
For more information: Visit the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States website or Historic Mount Vernon.
