George Washington Straight Rye Whiskey! This product is the precursor and pair to Martha Washington Rum. I was asked to design this package as they had no idea what type of package George had back in 1792, but we know h
e was the largest distiller in the Colonies, by far, at that time.

This being the first distilling of his whiskey since the 1700's, we had to come up with a design that would fit-hence this hand blown decanter, wooden stopper, with on glass etching and hand labeling.

George's original distillery has been rebuilt on the original Mount Vernon site and the whiskey remade via his original mash-bill, using a period copper pot still.

Many master distillers were involved in this project, from Ron Call at Cruzan Rum, to Bacardi, to Jim Beam, to...well, you name it, all coordinated by Joe Dangler, the master distiller at A. Smith Bowman. They make Virginia's premium red-rye bourbon, Virginia Gentleman.

The distillery was inaugurated with a celebration attended by Prince Andrew of Scotland, since George's whiskey maker was Scottish. Later, there was an auction at Mount Vernon...the first bottle sold for $100,000, to Marvin Shanken, the owner of the magazine Wine Spectator, after an evening of fireworks and a meal overlooking the Potomac.

Good going for George! His whiskey is now currently being remade for public consumption. I did some mini bottles of this product you can buy if you visit Mount Vernon now, and various forms of his recipe will be available in larger bottles in the new year.

Digital printing services for this product were provided by Labels Unlimited, U.S.A. of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Tele: (757) 340 8893.

Martha Washington Rum auction at Mount Vernon

Product Photo: Andrew Harnik, http://www.andrewharnik.com

This past fall, I attended an auction at Mount Vernon for the launching of the product I designed, Martha Washington Rum. A bottle of this rum went for 20,000 bucks, in auction! The beautiful evening at Mount Vernon started with private tours of the place, up to the usually closed off 3rd floor, hors d'oeuvres on the lawn, then, a short speech by the Deputy Minister from France.

After a moment of silence for fallen soldiers while looking at the evening over the Potomac, the Marine Corps Brass Band came in and played a number of martial tunes, and exactly when they stopped, (EXACTLY, the whole band is so disciplined, they were in complete synchronization...amazing) fireworks went off over the Potomac!

We ate via white glove service (the Wellington was excellent!) in a tent on the lawn which was tastefully interrupted by Senator Tom Harkin giving a small talk and an auction of the rum, featuring a re-enactor of George Washington on the dais. Senator John Warner of VA was also recognized, as well as a few others. Finally, coffee (espresso) and candied pears with chocolate for a spectacular finish.

Below are links to a few stories about the event.

Tom Harkin, Frank Keating Honored for Commitment to Spirituous Liquors, U.S. New & World Report

Martha Washington's rum fetches $20,000, Washington D.C. Examiner

Yaaarghh! A $20,000 bottle of rum, Baltimore Sun

Digital printing services for this product were provided by Labels Unlimited, U.S.A. of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Tele: (757) 340 8893.