What could the preview sipping of a rare historic whisky have to do with international diplomacy? The extraordinary “special relationship” in Anglo-American relations encompasses far more than a common language, intertwined histories and economic interests on the world markets. At first glance, many Caribbean islands enjoy just as deep and intertwined cultural and economic histories with the United States. The region as a whole, however, solicits far less interest in the current worldview of American establishment and the public at large, even though impressive numbers vacation and do business on the islands.
Many were surprised when the Obama administration intervened in September 2014, days before the Scottish referendum for independence, urging Scots to keep the United Kingdom together. Somehow, the whole disintegration of the Netherlands Antilles as a state not too long ago, and the future of the successor entities, solicited far less public interest both on the diplomatic stage and in the international media.
Historic ties are legacies that need to be constantly rekindled and nurtured through crafty cultural diplomacy exercises designed to build a capital of trust in personal connections. These ties ultimately bring some clout on the international stage, an important asset for small islands engaged in various processes of identity building and international branding.
In mid-October 2015, I attended one such exercise when three renowned Scottish Whisky Distillers returned to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate in Virginia, not far from the American capital. They first gathered at the historic distillery of the nation’s Founding Father in 2012 and they were there now to preview the first-ever Scottish-style Single Malt produced on the estate, the Mount Vernon Whisky Flavoured with Tartan. This event marked the culmination of a unique cultural project that celebrates the Scottish roots of American whiskey distilling, an exercise that brought together giants of the industry on both sides of the Atlantic.
The initiators of this project were the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), a national trade association representing producers and marketers, and their peers, the Scotch Whisky Association. In the spring of 2012, with the support of the Scottish Government and the Mount Vernon Estate, they first brought together leading Scottish and American distillers to George Washington’s Distillery with a clear vision to create a unique whisky, using traditional 18th-century methods.
This whisky now pays tribute to a Scot named James Anderson. He was George Washington’s plantation manager on the estate and is credited to have convinced the elderly statesman that distilling would be a lucrative business, complementing his already thriving milling operation.
The historic distillery was established in 1797, soon becoming one of the largest distilleries in early America until 1840 when it burned down. It only reopened its doors in 2007 after being reconstructed with DISCUS funding as a living, re-enactment museum that preserves the traditional distilling craft. Whiskey is produced here with exact replicas of period tools and with the labour or dedicated re-enactment docents.
The select team of Scotch master distillers overseeing the project included Dr. Bill Lumsden, the Director of Distilling for The Glenmorangie Co.; Andy Cant the Distillery Manager for Cardhu Single Malt Distillery (home of Johnnie Walker); and John Campbell, the Distillery Manager for Laphroaig Distillery. In 2012, they were hosted by Mount Vernon Distillers, David Pickerell, a former Maker’s Mark Master Distiller, and Steven Bashore, the Director of Historic Trades on the estate. All of them were present for the official ceremony previewing the rare spirit and they recounted the fun and hard work that went into creating this whisky. Also present at the ceremony was the Scottish Affairs Counsellor for the Americas based in the British Embassy, Donnie Jack, DISCUS’s CEO and retired US Navy Admiral Peter Cressy as well the Scotch Whisky Association’s CEO David Frost, a former British diplomat. All spoke extensively about their pride in the success of the project which highlights the shared distilling heritage of the two countries and the commitment to keeping that legacy alive.
Beyond the formal speeches, the day belonged to the team of master distillers, all wearing kilts or period attire, fitting perfectly with their surroundings. George Washington and James Anderson dressed reenactors made a timely theatrical appearance endorsing the fine whisky and toasting to the future of the craft and the relationship between the two countries. All this was followed with the beautiful live performance of a Scottish bagpipe player.
As they explained it, the team used the restored water-powered gristmill on the estate to grind a ton of 100% Scottish malted barley and succeeded to distil some 20 gallons of whisky out of it. The first 10 gallons, distilled only once, were of such fine quality and proof that the team decided to barrel it as the Distillers’ Reserve while the rest, distilled twice, were barrelled as Limited Edition. Placed in Bourbon casks, the precious whiskies were aged at Mount Vernon for three years to interact with their historic surroundings. They were later re-cooped in Speyside, Scotland maturing for their final months in aged barrels that previously held Madeira wine, Washington’s favourite.
To underscore the cultural and philanthropic nature of this public diplomacy exercise, all of the bottles are being auctioned around the world for charitable purposes. The first two bottles, one from each batch, were auctioned during DUSCUS’s 14th annual “Spirit of Mount Vernon” gala held the same day on the estate. The two bottles sold for $26,000 with proceeds going to Mount Vernon’s educational programs. Overall, the evening fundraising event raised over $380,000 for Mount Vernon and $50,000 for another American charity serving the families of American wounded warriors. Some 800 VIP guests, including congressmen, ambassadors and industry leaders attended the gala dinner, an occasion to rekindle or to create new, valuable ties among leaders in the public and private sector on both sides of the Atlantic.
These galas raised almost $4 million in donations over the years, but the numbers are symbolic. These galas and similar cultural diplomacy initiatives have also raised a far larger intangible capital of trust among participants invested in nurturing a shared cultural heritage.
Cultural diplomacy initiatives are not just the prerogative of diplomatic officials in busy capitals; they can be creative, public-private sector exercises. If done right, they may well be vital investments for the long-term. Mount Vernon already does dabble in small batch rum making; maybe they just need authentic ingredients.
Text and photos by Teodor Stan
