Mount Vernon Distillery president passes away

James C. Rees, long-time president of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, has passed away at the age of 62 following a long illness.

James C. Rees spearheaded the restoration of George Washinton’s Mount Vernon distillery, which originally operated in 1797

As president and CEO of George Washington’s Estate in Virginia, US, Rees spearheaded the completion of the Mount Vernon distillery in 2006 on its original site.

The fully operational distillery, a four-acre farm site modelled after the building Washington himself built in 1797, is now one of the state’s most prominent whisky producers.

Peter H. Cressy, president of the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus), said: “Discus members and the distilled spirits industry will remember Jim Rees with great affection and respect for his love of Mount Vernon and determination to ensure that every facet of Washington’s remarkable life and accomplishments were fully represented at Mount Vernon.”