George Washington Distillery & Gristmill
After leaving the office of the president of the United States, George Washington opened a distillery at his Virginia estate, Mount Vernon. George Washington Distillery & Gristmill produced as much as 11,000 gallons of whiskey a year. In 2005, after research, excavation and reconstruction, the George Washington distillery reopened and it looks and works exactly how it did back in the 18th century. Tours are available every day of the year to learn about the process used to make George Washington's famous whiskey at the Distillery or experience the colonial flour-making process at the Gristmill. Admission to the distillery and gristmill is included with general admission to George Washington's Mount Vernon. Shuttles are also available to the Distillery & Gristmill from the Estate grounds.
George Washington Distillery & Gristmill is the only authentic 18th-century distillery in the country, and his water-powered gristmill features an automated system with four floors of intricate gears and shafts. The distillery became the largest income generator for the estate and was the largest whiskey distillery in the country at the time, and also one of the best whisky distillery tours in the world. In 2017, George Washington’s rye whiskey, distilled at Mount Vernon, was named Virginia’s official state spirit. Together with Mount Vernon’s farm site, gristmill, and education center, the Distillery teaches visitors about Washington’s entrepreneurial spirit and his innovative approach to making whiskey.
- Official website: mountvernon.org
- Location: Alexandria, Virginia
