A photo of an 18th century distillery, much like the one that George Washington used to make his whiskey.

It’s appropriate to look back at our nation’s first President and delve farther into George Washington’s connection with Whiskey and alcohol.

Early political experience and whiskey lesson

It dates to 1755 when the young George Washington lost his first campaign when he ran for a seat in the Virginia House of Burgess. He apparently did not feel the need to ply the voters with various alcoholic drinks, including beer, whiskey, rum punch and wine. He got trounced in the election 271-40. Always the quick learner, he won three years later with 331 votes and he learned a valuable lesson about the power of whiskey & drink.

Whiskey in the Revolutionary War

During the Revolutionary War, he implored William Buchanan served as Commissary General of Purchases for the Continental Army there “…. should always be a Sufficient Quantity of Spirits, with the Army to furnish moderate Supplies to the Troops.” This unfortunately fell unto deaf ears and the Continental Army had to find local resources to procure whiskey. One of these sources was apparently a young Basil Hayden (yes the Basil Hayden of the Bourbon brand today) of St. Mary’s County, MD. It’s known he sold “supplies” to the Continental Army. There may have just been a little more than eggs and bacon he was providing since he was a distiller.

Constitution celebration and founding fathers’ drinks

George Washington celebrated finalizing the Constitution by having a “Farewell” at the City Tavern in Philadelphia on September 15, 1787. The bar tab is still intact………the Founding Fathers drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 of beer, and 7 bowls of alcoholic punch that night. There were only 55 attendees! It was not signed until two days later. This party may have been the reason for the delay.

Washington’s distillery and whiskey production

After he retired from the Presidency, George Washington established one of the largest whiskey distilleries in America. Producing over 11,000 gallons per year. This was not the smooth Whiskey or Rye we think of today, it was clear and not aged, but he made a lot of it. It was so popular he needed grains from all over the Potomac River area.

Agricultural seed trading in Maryland

It’s documented he came to Tudor Hall in St. Mary’s County, Maryland to trade seeds with Mr. Philip Key (yes, a relative of Francis Scott Key). This type of trade was a common farming practice of the time and facilitated access to new types of plants and seeds, leading to more variety in crops, improving the overall quality of agricultural output.

Modern tribute: America 250 Whiskey collaboration

Today Tobacco Barn Distillery continues that connection by partnering with the George Washington Distillery in Mount Vernon, VA with limited release “America 250” Whiskey. It’s a 5 ½ year aged Single Barrel Bourbon aged an additional 15 months in a George Washington Distillery Rye barrel. The result is a rare collaboration between two farm distillers and a great Whiskey aged almost 7 years.