Washington's Whiskey Set For Sale

MOUNT VERNON, Va. -- The lines at the gift shop at George Washington's home may soon be getting a little longer.

Virginia's governor is expected to approve a measure that would allow whiskey to be sold at Mount Vernon.

A spokesman for Gov. Timothy Kaine said under the plan, the estate could sell small amounts of the founding father's own brand of rye whiskey.

Historians say Washington was the nation's largest producer of whiskey in 1799 and had a state-of-the-art distillery. However, the distillery fell into disrepair after Washington's death.

Archaeologists found the remains of the distillery about two decades ago. It was later rebuilt.

A chief historian at Mount Vernon said the whiskey sales will allow visitors to taste "an authentic flavor of the 18th century" and learn more about the first president's "entrepreneurial spirit."

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