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Mount Vernon fires-up the stills next week at George Washington's Distillery...Public can watch Master Distillers make First President's whiskey

MOUNT VERNON, Va., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a rare event next week at the newly reconstructed George Washington's Distillery, the general public and media can observe master distillers from leading liquor companies produce the founding father's colonial-style whiskey on authentic copper pot stills.

Monday through Friday, August 27-31, 10:00 am -- 4:00 pm distillers will be making Rye whiskey according to Washington's actual recipe, for eventual sale at the distillery to the public after aging, under a special law passed by the Virginia legislature this year.

Directions: George Washington's Distillery (5513 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Alexandria, VA 22309) is located 3 miles south of Mount Vernon's main entrance on the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (SR 235). The Distillery and adjacent Gristmill are along Dogue Run Creek, just before Route 1. Parking is available.

Background: In 1797, George Washington's Scottish-born farm manager James Anderson convinced his employer that producing whiskey made from corn and rye grown on the plantation would be a natural complement to his milling business. Washington was initially skeptical, but soon granted permission to build the 2,250 square foot distillery--making it among the largest whiskey distilleries in early America.

In 1799, Washington produced 11,000 gallons of whiskey, worth the then-substantial sum of $7,500. His whiskey was highly regarded among the merchants of Alexandria and throughout the region.

Shortly after Washington's death that year, the complex was passed down to a relative. The distillery ceased operating in 1814 when the building burned. In 2000, Mount Vernon began the excavation and restoration of the $2.1 million distillery project with a grant from the distilled spirits industry. In the Fall, 2006, the distillery was dedicated by Britain's Prince Andrew and in March 2007, it officially opened to the public. From April through October, visitors can see costumed distillers demonstrating the distillation process on a daily basis.

DISCUS is the trade association representing producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States.