The Washington Recipe - ROCK'N Vodka's Newest Spirit

Bella Rio Bourbon and Kennay Farms Distilling proudly announce the upcoming release of our Washington Recipe Rye Whiskey, a historically inspired, aged rye whiskey crafted in homage to America’s first president and master distiller, George Washington. The release will arrive at a uniquely meaningful moment in American history, coinciding with the nation’s celebration of 250 years of freedom and the 100-year anniversary of the historic "Hub Theater" that now houses Kennay Farms Distillery.

Inspired by whiskey ledgers from 1798 and 1799 documenting George Washington’s original rye production, our Washington Recipe is not a direct replica, but a modern interpretation rooted in historical authenticity. Washington’s recorded mashbill consisted of approximately 60% rye, 35% corn, and 5% malted barley—a bold, spice-forward whiskey reflective of its era.

After extensive experimentation, our final mashbill was selected for both flavor and drinkability: 51% rye, 30% wheat, and 19% corn. The inclusion of wheat and higher corn content softens the spice typically associated with rye whiskey, resulting in a smoother, more rounded profile that performed exceptionally well straight off the still and matured beautifully over three to five years.

Beyond the mashbill, the project reflects striking similarities between Kennay Farms Distilling and Washington’s own distillery operations. Like Washington, Kennay Farms processes harvests from its own agricultural operations while also sourcing select grains externally to ensure quality and consistency. In the same spirit of sustainability and diversification that defined Washington’s enterprise, spent mash from production is repurposed to support livestock feed—echoing the historic practice of fattening hogs with leftover cooked mash.

Washington’s distillery was one of the largest in America at the time and demonstrated his forward-thinking approach to diversified production and asset utilization. Kennay Farms embraces that same philosophy today, blending tradition with modern innovation to build a scalable, sustainable distilling operation - the largest craft distillery in Illinois.

The Washington Recipe Rye Whiskey has been aged for three to five years and is currently still in its design phase. Upon approval, Kennay Farms will begin accepting pre-orders from distributors and retail partners, as well as direct-to-consumer e-commerce orders where permitted.

“This release is more than a whiskey,” said company leadership. “It’s a celebration of American independence, entrepreneurship, and the enduring craftsmanship that has defined this country since its earliest days.”

Additional details regarding availability, pricing, and launch events will be announced following regulatory approval.