George Washington's Rye Whiskey facts for kids
George Washington’s Rye Whiskey is a special drink made at George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. It is created using an old recipe from his time. This recipe was found by experts looking at his farm records from the late 1790s. The whiskey is made in small amounts and can only be bought in person at Mount Vernon.
George Washington started making whiskey in 1797. His farm manager, James Anderson, encouraged him to do so. That year, they made about 600 gallons. By 1799, the year Washington passed away, his distillery produced nearly 11,000 gallons. This made it the biggest whiskey distillery in America at that time!
The original distillery building was rebuilt after many years of study. Historians and experts worked together to make it just like it was before. It started making whiskey again in 2007. The first new batch was ready in 2010. In 2017, the Governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe, signed a law. This law made George Washington’s Rye Whiskey the official state spirit of Virginia.
What's Inside: Whiskey Ingredients
This special whiskey is made from a mix of grains. The recipe uses:
- 60 percent rye grain
- 35 percent corn
- 5 percent malted barley
How It's Made: The Whiskey Process
The team at Mount Vernon uses Washington's original recipe. They follow the same methods from the 1700s.
- First, the grains are processed at Washington’s water-powered gristmill. This mill uses water to grind the grains.
- Next, the ground grains are mixed and fermented. This happens in large wooden tubs.
- Finally, the liquid is distilled. This means it is heated in copper pot stills over wood fires. In Washington's time, whiskey was usually not aged. This recipe calls for the whiskey to be distilled twice for extra purity.
