George Washington’s Mount Vernon will release George Washington’s Spirit of ’76 Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey, the first bourbon ever produced by the historic Virginia distillery. The limited edition will go on sale on 4 July 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
The release consists of approximately 300 bottles, making it one of the most exclusive spirits ever offered by Mount Vernon. It was crafted from reserved casks at George Washington’s Distillery and bottled at cask strength in a commemorative package honoring the nation’s Semiquincentennial.
The bourbon will be available at The Shops at Mount Vernon while supplies last. It will retail for $1,000 and will be sold in person only, with a one-bottle purchase limit.
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The expression was aged for seven years and distilled and bottled by hand using 18th-century techniques at Washington’s reconstructed distillery.
According to the official notes from the brand, the bourbon “delivers a rich blend of sweetness, spice, and oak.” The bottle features a double-sided label that reveals Emanuel Leutze’s painting Washington Crossing the Delaware as the whiskey is consumed.
The release highlights a lesser-known chapter of Washington’s legacy. By the end of the 18th century, Washington operated the largest whiskey distillery in America, producing nearly 11,000 gallons in 1799 alone.
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READ THE STORY“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,” said Douglas Bradburn, president and CEO of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. “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.”
Mount Vernon will also launch the Washington’s Generals Series, a collector’s edition label program for its Premium Rye Whiskey, created in partnership with White Historical Painting.
The 2026 label depicts General George Washington and General Henry Knox on Dorchester Heights overlooking British forces in Boston. New labels will be released annually on Washington’s birthday.
“America’s 250th anniversary is not a single day but a story that unfolded over many years,” Bradburn added.
The release coincides with Mount Vernon’s America 250 celebrations, including “An American Celebration” on 4 July, featuring a naturalization ceremony, readings of the Declaration of Independence, military demonstrations, and fireworks over the Potomac River.
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