The American Whiskey Trail is a joint cultural initiative of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and Historic Mount Vernon. Consisting of 11 distilleries and seven historical sites, the American Whiskey Trail provides an educational journey through the history of distilled spirits in America. All sites are open to the public.
Distilled spirits played an important social and economic role in the foundation of early America - from the rum-making of the early colonists to the thriving cottage whiskey industry of the frontier settlers. In fact, even America's first president, George Washington, distilled spirits at his Mount Vernon estate. He distilled rum in the 1770s, and, in 1797, his farm manager persuaded him to build a whiskey distillery on the property. The distillery became one of the largest whiskey-making facilities in early America.
After Washington's death in 1799, the distillery passed through several hands before burning down in 1814. In 2000, Mount Vernon began to reconstruct the distillery using 18th century building techniques and historically appropriate materials.
Opened to the public in 2007, the distillery is the gateway to The American Whiskey Trail. The facility serves as a national distilling museum, being the only site to showcase the early American distilling process.
And if you want a taste of Washington's famous brew, just head to the Mount Vernon gift shop. With help from some of the country's premier distillers, the distillery is pumping out a commemorative bottling of rye whiskey, using the same process (and facility) that ol' George himself used over 200 years ago.
The other sites on the trail are:
- George Dickel Distillery
Since 1870, George A. Dickel Tennessee Whiskey is still handcrafted with the same processes and attention-to-detail that George Dickel established to ensure that each drop is as remarkable now as it was when the first batch was made. - Jack Daniel’s Distillery
The oldest registered distillery in the United States, the making of Jack Daniel's whiskey was set down by its founder, Jack Daniel, and has been maintained and preserved for over 140 years. - Jim Beam Distillery
Seven generations and more than two centuries later, Jim Beam bourbon is still made the same way, by the same family, following the same recipe perfected in 1795. The distillery campus is made up of the T. Jeremiah Beam home where one can savor the world renowned bourbons in the tasting parlor; the American Outpost where visitors can shop for one-of-a-kind merchandise; and The Hartmann Cooperage Museum, a recreation of an 1800’s barrel-making shop. - Maker’s Mark Distillery
Established in 1805 as a gristmill distillery, Maker’s Mark is the oldest working distillery on its original site – and a National Historic Landmark. The historic charm is not the only reason to visit the Maker’s Mark distillery; the beautifully manicured grounds are a functioning arboretum; hosting more than 275 species of trees and shrubs, and makes for an ideal picnic spot. - Wild Turkey Distillery
Once inside this real working distillery, watch as new Bourbon is poured into handcrafted barrels then tour the timbered warehouses, where thousands of barrels sit and age. - Woodford Reserve Distillery
The historic distillery has been fully restored to its former 1800’s splendor and is a designated National Historic Landmark. A distillery highlight is Woodford Reserve’s old-fashioned pot stills, which are used in the time-honored production of Woodford Reserve. - Bacardi Visitor Center
On the sparkling San Juan Bay…across from the historic El Morro Castle…Casa BACARDI…located at the world’s largest premium rum distillery. The tour is free to all guests, transporting visitors back to 1862 for a journey to the present. - Cruzan Rum Distillery
Founded in 1760, the Cruzan Rum distillery is recognized as much for its hand-crafted, ultra-premium rums as for its critically acclaimed, natural tasting flavorful rums. - Fraunces Tavern Museum
Best known as the site where George Washington gave his farewell address to the officers of the Continental Army in 1783, the tavern is now a restored complex made up of four 19th century buildings as well as the 18th century Fraunces Tavern Building. It was built in 1719 as an elegant residence for merchant Stephan Delancey and later purchased in 1762 by tavern-keeper Samuel Fraunces. - Gadsby’s Tavern
The tavern was a center for political, business and social life in 18th century Alexandria, Virginia where prominent individuals such as George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were entertained. Today Gadsby's Tavern Museum is open to the public, offering tours and public programs showcasing the historic two buildings, the circa 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel. - Woodville Plantation, the John and Presley Neville House
A National Historic Landmark, Woodville was deemed "a temple of hospitality" -- the home of a general, a former commandant of Fort Pitt, a man of wealth and education. As collector of the new and hated federal excise tax on whiskey, John Neville was a major target in the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. - The Oliver Miller Homestead
The Miller Homestead is a pioneer landmark and Whiskey Rebellion Site in Allegheny County’s South Park Pennsylvania. This old stone farmhouse nestled among the trees, is a sturdy remnant of frontier days. - The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
The museum houses a 50-year collection of rare whiskey artifacts dating from pre-colonial days to post-Prohibition days. Among them are rare antique bottles, a moonshine still, advertising art, novelty whiskey containers, and Abraham Lincoln's liquor license. - West Overton Museum
This is the only pre-Civil War village still intact today in Pennsylvania. It was named to the National Register of Historic Districts in 1985 as an outstanding example of a 19th century rural industrial village complete with farm, two floors of the Overholt Mill/Distillery, industrial tools, Blacksmith Shop, a wash house and a smokehouse.
