Posted on 09/27/2006 7:22:39 PM PDT by george76
His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York today joined public officials and leaders of the Scottish and American spirits industry at Historic Mount Vernon to celebrate the official dedication of the restored George Washington's Distillery.
The Duke, who cut the ribbon at the event, was celebrating the close Scottish-U.S. ties and paying tribute to Scotland's connection to George Washington's distillery.
He noted that it was George Washington's Scottish farm manager, James Anderson, who convinced Washington in 1797 that distilling whiskey would be a lucrative business venture and a good use of the excess grain from the nearby gristmill.
He joined other public officials including Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell in raising a toast to George Washington and splashing whiskey against the distillery's exterior stone wall.
"George Washington's Distillery will give the world both a clear view of the entrepreneurial spirit of our nation's first president and a valuable insight into America's distilling heritage," said Distilled Spirits Council President Peter Cressy, whose organization has been the major donor to Mount Vernon for the $2.1 million project to excavate and reconstruct the historic distillery.
"George Washington was one of the most successful whiskey distillers of his time and symbolizes everything modern distillers stand for: responsibility, moderation and quality."
Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association Gavin Hewitt, who traveled to the United States for the dedication, stated, "Scotland and the U.S.A. have long shared a passion for making whisky.
The partnership between George Washington and James Anderson, his Scottish-born farm manager, was instrumental in creating one of the most successful whisky distilleries in early America."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
After five years of archaeological excavations, the distillery has been authentically rebuilt by a team of restoration architects, craftsmen and historians using 18th-century building techniques.
MADD will be furious.
good
BTTT
Indeed.
Is the public allowed to purchase any of the whiskey?
First in War, First in Peace, First in Whiskey:
http://www.southernfoodways.com/fea_washwhiskey.shtml
What is the actual brand name?
I hate to be the harbinger of bad news, but distilling booze is ILLEGAL unless they have the proper permits. George would be appalled. Wait - never mind.
Personally, I'd be more impressed if the Playmate of the Month was cutting the ribbon than British Royalty.
The Washington Family Coat of Arms
The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list.
Freepmail me to get ON or OFF this list
Thanks for the post and the ping, George76. Although he must have enjoyed his whiskey occasionally, The General favored madeira and always served rum punch to his guests. As I understand it , the distillery was a business venture more than anything else.
George76, Just read your tagline. You could probably add 'fake American'
I do not know , but will look.
It's good to see his distillery restored.
Can't wait until it's raided by the BATFE.
Got pulled over for doing 105mph down Mt Vernon Pkwy back in the 70's
I agree.
But Prince Andrew is better than the really goffy older brother.
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