George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill

Reconstructed distillery that made Washington one of America's largest whiskey producers

A full reconstruction of the stone distillery George Washington operated at Mount Vernon from 1797 to 1799 — one of the largest whiskey distilleries in the young United States. The original building burned and was rebuilt; archaeologists excavated the site in the 1990s, allowing an accurate reconstruction that produces rye whiskey using 18th-century methods.

Demonstrations run on weekends from April to October, with costumed staff operating the copper pot stills. The adjacent gristmill, also reconstructed, ground grain for the estate and for sale to neighbours. Both are about 5 km from the main Mount Vernon estate and can be visited separately. Small admission fee, less crowded than the main house. A good stop for anyone interested in American agricultural and industrial history.

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A story
Washington's distillery was run by his Scottish farm manager, James Anderson, who persuaded a reluctant Washington to try the venture in 1797. Within a year it was producing 11,000 gallons of rye whiskey annually and turning a healthy profit. Washington, often cash-poor despite his land holdings, found the whiskey business one of his most reliably lucrative enterprises in his final years.