George Washington Rye Whiskey

Virginia designated "George Washington Rye Whiskey" as the official state spirit on March 16, 2017 (distilled and hand-bottled by George Washington Distillery in Mount Vernon, Virginia). All State Foods & Beverages

Code of Virginia

Whereas, George Washington was a native son of Virginia born on February 22, 1732, in Pope's Creek, Virginia; and

Whereas, George Washington was the first American president, commander of the Continental Army, and president of the Constitutional Convention; and

Whereas, George Washington served as a model statesman and is universally acknowledged as the father of our nation; and

Whereas, another aspect of George Washington's life was his business activities as a gentleman planter; and

Whereas, from his home at Mount Vernon, which was also a working farming operation, George Washington participated in many business ventures; and

Whereas, George Washington's venture into the rye whiskey business began at the urging of his farm manager, James Anderson, who had been involved in the distilling industry in Scotland before immigrating to America in the early 1790s; and

Whereas, James Anderson was convinced that a distilling business would complement Mount Vernon's other economic ventures, and George Washington agreed; and

Whereas, initially George Washington proceeded cautiously, allowing James Anderson to purchase two stills and set up a small operation in the cooperage next to the gristmill located at the property in early 1797; and

Whereas, this first endeavor produced 600 gallons of rye whiskey; and

Whereas, two years later, in 1799, the year of George Washington's death, his distillery produced nearly 11,000 gallons, making it the largest whiskey distillery in America at the time; and

Whereas, it is fitting to acknowledge yet another accomplishment of this son of Virginia and father of the nation whose efforts produced a spirit that embodies the spirit of Virginia; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That § 1-510 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 1-510. Official emblems and designations ... Spirit -- George Washington's rye whiskey produced at Mount Vernon, Virginia ...