George's Liquor

George also made liquor at Mount Vernon: 80 proof whiskey (unless you ordered a special batch of 120). He started making whiskey about two years before he died, so he didn't get to enjoy much of his own spirits. In 1797, Washington's Scottish farm manager James Anderson encouraged him to build a whiskey distillery adjacent to the gristmill. The distillery was then the largest in America, producing 11,000 gallons of whiskey in 1799, making it one of the most successful economic enterprises at Mount Vernon.

The distillery also burned at one point and was recently excavated and restored. Currently it is the only distillery that uses 18th century technology. Cooper vats, oak barrels, and mash pots. It is all reproductions, but the process is so two centuries ago!

Apparently, you can buy the whiskey. Eventually. I say this because they don't make a lot of it when they do distill. Having made a batch near July 4th, it went on sale on July 1st: it sold out in three hours. They are planning another batch for Christmas, but I am guessing that it will go equally as fast. If you are interested in buying some, you can check back on the Mount Vernon's web site.

The water that powers the gristmill and is one of the main ingredients in the whiskey is from a lake about mile and half up the road. George and an expert miller help him pick the best spot for his mill and eventually his distillery. It is about 3 miles away from Mount Vernon proper, as there is not a good enough water source there. Still, in order for the water to get to the mill and whiskey, a slush had to be built. Nowadays, there is a pump, recycling the water through, but you still get the idea.