George Washington’s Distillery Is Dropping Its First Bourbon to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary

(Photo: George Washington’s Mount Vernon)

George Washington’s Mount Vernon is marking America’s 250th anniversary with a historic first: the release of the first bourbon ever produced by George Washington’s Distillery.

The limited-edition George Washington’s Spirit of ’76 Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey will go on sale July 4 at The Shops at Mount Vernon. Only about 300 bottles will be available, each carrying a $1,000 price tag and limited to one bottle per customer.

The release is designed to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial while highlighting a lesser-known chapter of George Washington’s legacy. Although best known as the nation’s first president and commander of the Continental Army, Washington also operated the largest whiskey distillery in America by the end of the 18th century, producing nearly 11,000 gallons of whiskey in 1799.

“Most Americans know George Washington as the commander of the Continental Army and our nation’s first president, but fewer realize that he also operated the largest whiskey distillery in America,” Douglas Bradburn, president and CEO of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, said in a statement. “By 1799, Washington produced nearly 11,000 gallons of whiskey annually, demonstrating the same innovation and determination that defined his public life. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, the Spirit of ’76 honors both Washington’s entrepreneurial vision and the enduring legacy of American craftsmanship.”

The 7-year-old bourbon was distilled and bottled by hand using 18th-century production methods at Mount Vernon’s reconstructed distillery. Bottled at cask strength, the whiskey features notes of sweetness, spice and oak and is presented in commemorative packaging celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

The bottle also includes a unique double-sided label that gradually reveals Emanuel Leutze’s iconic painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware” as the whiskey is consumed.

The release coincides with Mount Vernon’s July 4 “An American Celebration,” which will feature a naturalization ceremony, readings of the Declaration of Independence, military demonstrations, family activities and fireworks overlooking the Potomac River.

Mount Vernon also announced a new Washington’s Generals Series for its Premium Rye Whiskey. The annual collector’s edition will feature artwork commemorating key figures and moments from the Revolutionary War, with the inaugural 2026 release depicting George Washington and General Henry Knox on Dorchester Heights.