Wigle Whiskey has teamed up with the Senator John Heinz History Center to revive Cherry Bounce, a cordial famously favored by George Washington, as a limited-edition release marking America’s semiquincentennial. The historic spirit is now available at Wigle Whiskey and on select dates at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.
Cherry Bounce was a popular cordial among America’s earliest leaders, combining fruit, spice, and brandy into a warming drink. Washington recorded in his diary in September 1784 that he packed “canteens, which were filled with Madeira and Cherry Bounce” before a journey across the Allegheny Mountains.
Historical records also show that Martha Washington oversaw production of the cordial at Mount Vernon. Her surviving handwritten recipe called for “20 pounds of cherries” and “10 quarts of French brandy.”
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READ THE STORYWigle’s modern interpretation is crafted from apple brandy infused with tart cherries and warm baking spices. The spirit balances bright fruit with rich depth and warming spice, according to the brand.
“This release is about more than reviving a historic recipe,” said Alex Moser, Wigle Whiskey’s chief operating officer. “It’s about celebrating the stories, flavors, and traditions that helped shape America itself. We are incredibly thankful to the Heinz History Center for its input and guidance on this project.”
The bottle features original artwork from illustrator Mark Bender, whose work is showcased in the Heinz History Center’s My America: An Illustrated Experience exhibition.
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“We are excited to have partnered with Wigle Whiskey and bring history to life with their development of Cherry Bounce,” said Brady Smith, the Heinz History Center’s chief communications officer. “America’s 250th birthday is the perfect moment to reflect on our shared history through this spirit that was so revered by George Washington, whose experiences here in Western Pennsylvania heavily influenced the founding of our nation.”
Wigle Whiskey will host a bottle release party at its distillery on Thursday, June 18, from 6-8 p.m. The event will feature Cherry Bounce cocktails, a print display by Bender, and representatives from the Heinz History Center discussing the region’s plans for commemorating the anniversary.
Founded in 2012, Wigle Whiskey is a craft distillery based in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. It is named after Philip Wigle, a farmer who played a central role in the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. The Heinz History Center is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
