The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
Updated September 29, 2020
By Douglas Fraser
Rating: C
George Washington’s Original Rye Whiskey
(Credit: Douglas Fraser)
George Washington’s Distillery was founded in 1797, after much persuasion from his Scottish farm manager, James Anderson. The original distillery was comprised of five copper pot stills, and by 1799 was producing 11,000 gallons of whiskey a year. Within the first few years of operation, the distillery had much success and was extremely profitable. Unfortunately, it closed shortly after the death of George Washington in 1799. In 2007, with the help of the Distilled Spirits Council, the distillery was reopened. This was due to the discovery of the original distillery records, and then its location during an archaeological project.
George Washington’s Distillery is fully operational, however it only produces spirits for 6 months of the year, following an antique, seasonal pattern. The distillery’s line of products includes the Original Rye Whiskey, 2 year old Rye Whiskey, 4 year old Rye Whiskey, Apple Brandy, and Peach Brandy. The distillery uses the same 18th century methods and recipes found in George Washington’s records. All of the spirits are products of the grains ground at the property’s water-powered gristmill, fermented in wooden tubs, and distilled by copper pot stills heated by wood fires. The whiskey is then bottled, numbered, and labeled all by hand.
The Whiskey
George Washington’s Distillery Original Rye Whiskey is part of a limited amount of whiskey made at Mount Vernon each year. The whiskey is unaged and is surprisingly smooth considering the 18th century distilling methods used. It is comprised of 60% rye, 35% corn, and 5% malted barley and bottled at 43% ABV.
This clear whiskey has an aroma with hints of grain, raw rye, raw corn, and rye bread. Tasted neat, on the palate are more hints of raw rye, corn sweetness, rye bread, oats, and is somewhat thick. The finish is short with hints of rye and plain oatmeal.
The Price
George Washington’s Distillery Original Rye Whiskey is sold at Mount Vernon for $98 for a 375 ml bottle.
it is worth noting that the $98 is for a half-fifth, not a standard fifth or litre. it is a 375 ml bottle.
So noted and revised!
My wife gave me a bottle of this for my 60th birthday. I’ll say it is unlike anything I have had before, and to my palate, not in a good way.
Old fashioned whiskey sometimes serves as a reminder that when it comes to booze, not everything antique is automatically good.