George Washington's Historic Rye Whiskey Launched

For the first time over 200 years, First President George Washington's authentic un-aged rye whiskey has been distilled and bottled at the site of his original distillery. The real thing made at the original site, the way George and his distiller, Scotsman John Anderson, produced it way back in 1797.

A Guy Studio was asked to create the period-style packaging for this historic product!

A Guy Studio's packaging, which features the first president's portrait, was designed with frames, borders and colors reminiscent of the architectural embellishments used in colonial Virginia plantations at the time. The bottle, heavy european glass, has a domed shoulder, like a small, specialty decanter. Hand-crafted wooden stoppers where used to cap the product and the labels themselves were printed on Estate #4, 100% cotton rag, wine-labeling paper stock. All of these elements combine to create a design that highlights the special nature of

this one of a kind, collectible whiskey.

This un-aged rye whiskey was made in a limited quantity, with only 475 bottles produced in this run. All are hand numbered and sell for approximately $85 per bottle.

The initial run has been practically sold out! With tastings at the on-site launch a success, bottles have been well received by the public.

The entire project, from the re-creation of George Washington's distillery on the actual site, to the distilling of the whiskey according to his original mash bill, using authentic copper pot stills, to the design and production of quality whiskey, has helped raise the awareness of the life of George Washington and the craftsmanship of our colonial forefathers.

It has been a distinct honor for Allan Guy Design & Illustration to have been allowed to be a part of this important, historic event.

Special thanks go to Mrs. Julia Mosley, Director, The Shops at Mount Vernon, Dennis Pogue, Director of Preservation at Historic Mount Vernon and Barton Groh, CFO, Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, for their support and leadership in this ongoing series of unique, historic projects

As always, many thanks to Master Distiller Joe Dangler, of Virginia Gnetleman's A. Smith Bowman Distillery, for his exemplary knowledge of craft, time and attention and unfailing willingness to explain the intricacies of his art to others.

Please take a look at the news coverage of the launch of George Washington's Un-aged Rye Whiskey (2 video clips) a the bottom of this post:

New Projects, New Projects...

...of various natures are rolling in.  Just for a quick update, here are some of the things either in the works at A. Guy Studio, just starting to be designed or are coming out soon:

1. Wild Scotsman Whisky:  An ultra premium single cask single malt offering, aged 12 years, Speyside, Scotland.  The design has a multiple labeling system, incorporating areas for hand signing, hand numbering and cask number registering.  This whisky is bottled at the House of MacDuff in Linwood Scotland and is full dram with a velvety finish and perfect viscosity, leaving fine "legs" on the glass.  Enough said.
2. First Colony Winery:  A new summer blush wine...details still secret until the launch!  www.firstcolonywinery.com.
   
3. Manassas Museum:  Launching now, a new line of A. Guy Studio branded products has been created, expanding their product portfolio into items like a stainless steel, eco-friendly reusable water bottles, various kitchen products...just a ton of "good stuff" which will be posted soon.
   
4. George Washington's Historic Mount Vernon/Mount Vernon Distillery-#1 stop on the National Whiskey Trail:  Two lines of authentic spirits are in design development by A. Guy Studio for GW's fascinating, rebuilt and operational 18th century distillery.  One new spirit is priced for the average consumer and history lover, the other for the American whiskey connoisuer.  More details about these items cannot be divulged until the product release. However, this design and marketing plan for this historically accurate pair has been crafted to hit sales and marketing goals (plus they look of the period-with some twists-and are great fun to design).
5. Chesapeake Bay Distilling Company, Chesapeake, Virginia, makers of Blue Ridge Vodka: These guys have two new tasty products coming out...Blue Ridge Honeysuckle Peach Flavored Vodka (the name says it all...over ice on a hot summer's day, c'mon.) and a sister product with a refreshing taste "profile" unlike anything else on the market.  Too bad it is in the final stages of development, or I would divulge more.  Look for it soon!  You can't miss the all natural look of the brand packaging.  It utilizes a charming rendition of the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains behind graphic and illustrative flavor cues, plus a cheerful use of their mascot, a Virginia cardinal.
6. Vino Curioso:  The boys at Vino Curioso's Wine Factory have successfully launched their newest red blend, "Yesterday," (see post below) and are hard at work, crafting new varietals and blends with packaging and imagery to match.  Will post some shots when they are released.  Until then, you can find their wines at many VA ABC stores, at a wine fest near you!, online at www.vinocurioso.com and soon at their new tasting facilities at the Virginia Wine Factory outside of Manassas, VA...not too far from DC, so city-folk!  Come out to "the country" and have great wine with a fun design look.

More items in the works, this is just a taste.  Check back soon!

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.