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:

VA Senators Celebrate Washington's Birthday With A Drink

A. Guy Studio's George Washington Whiskey design featured in the Virginia Senate!

Story below is from the AP news service.

"RICHMOND, Va., (AP) -- How better to mark the birthday of George Washington than with a taste of All-American whiskey?  Sunday was Washington's 227th birthday.  Members of the Virginia Senate found green keepsake boxes left on their desks, containing a single, 1.7 ounce bottle with a blend of 11 major brands of American whiskeys.

Each box, courtesy of Historic Mount Vernon and the Distilled Spirits Council of the the United States, also contained a shot glass.

The labels, as diverse as Tennessee's Jack Daniels, Missouri's Platte Valley and home-state Virginia Gentleman, were mingled, vatted, bottled and labeled at Mount Vernon, Washington's Virginia estate.

Strong drink in Richmond's corridors of power isn't new.  Presenting it on the Senate floor is rare.  Senator Ken Stolle of Virginia Beach said he has never seen the like in his 4 1/2 terms."

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.