George Washington’s friends found its flavor superb … and soon the distillery at Mount Vernon had to be enlarged
AMONG the fond recollections of guests at Mount Vernon, alter George Washington’s retirement to private life, was a superbly mellow rye whiskey.
This rye was distilled at Mount Vernon under the skilled hand of James Anderson, the General’s chief overseer, who had learned the art in Scotland.
Originally the distillery had been built as a matter of economy to convert the surplus rye harvests into spirits—which were an important adjunct to good hospitality in those days of chilly houses.
But so excellent was the whiskey, so many begged the privilege of buying a cask or two, that in 1797 Washington directed his secretary Tobias Lear to erect a larger stone distillery on Dogue Creek.
Thus it came about that the flavorous rye, which soon came to be called “Mount Vernon,” found its way into neighboring states, and even to England, where it has long been one of the few popular American whiskies.
Mount Vernon Bottled In Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is still produced by the original formula—although the distillery was transferred to Baltimore almost a century ago. And that is why you will relish in it today the same magnificent flavor that was the toast of Washington’s friends.
MOUNT VERNON
Straight Rye Whiskey—Bottled in Bond
Under U. S. Government supervision
National Distillers
A Good Guide to Good Whiskey
1935, The American Medicinal Spirits Corporation, Baltimore, Md.