Munchkin Filled with Patriot Spirit; Among First Tasters at GW's Historic Distillery

George Washington's Distillery
Mt. Vernon, VA

Munchkin took a paws from wine-tasting to visit George Washington's Distrillery and Grist Mill today, as Washington's whiskey went on sale for the first time in almost 200 years!

The Father of our nation was not only "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen," it appears he was also first in the distilling. Washington was the only Founding Father to operate a commercial distillery, dating to 1797.

The Distillery burned in 1814, but knowledge of the operations were preserved in Washington's writings.

The Distillery has been reconstructed and reopened in 2007; however, a lot has changed since George Washington's time. In the 18th Century, you could bring your own jug directly to the Distillery and they'd fill it up for you. Try to get that approved by the ABC.

Thanks to a change in Virginia law that went into effect today, however, Mt. Vernon is allowed to offer tastings and sell whiskey directly to the public -- the first such tasting since Prohibition.

Munchkin was among the first in line, sampling two versions. While there was much ado about the Rye Whiskey made according to the General's own recipe, Munchkin found it a bit too ruff for her refined palate, preferring the smoother Whiskey blend available at Mt. Vernon in commemorative sets.

What a wonderful way for a patriotic pup to kick off America's 234th Birthday Celebration weekend! Munchkin left full of patriotic spirit as she rushed home to tell Pomeroy about her audience with President Washington.

Munchkin also recently met with Thomas Jefferson at Philip Carter Winery's 2nd anniversary celebration.

And both Wine Dogs enjoyed a pleasant morning exchange with George Mason during the Cherry Blossom festival.