PITTSBURGH — To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Wigle Whiskey has partnered with the Senator John Heinz History Center to revive a legendary favorite of Founding Father George Washington: Cherry Bounce. This historic spirit is now available for purchase for a limited time at Wigle Whiskey and select dates at the Heinz History Center.

Before the nation was fully formed, Cherry Bounce fueled the spirited conversations of America’s earliest leaders. A cordial beloved by George Washington himself, the historic drink combined fruit, spice and brandy into a warming American classic. Now, 250 years later, Wigle brings this revolutionary spirit back to life in a limited-edition release honoring the nation’s founding and the enduring craft traditions that shaped it.

Washington wasn’t merely a casual consumer of Cherry Bounce — he was an enthusiast. In September 1784, while preparing for a rugged journey across the Allegheny Mountains to inspect his western land holdings, Washington recorded in his diary that he packed “canteens, which were filled with Madeira and Cherry Bounce.” The drink served as both social comfort and medicinal companion during difficult travel.

Historical records also reveal 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,” suggesting Cherry Bounce was crafted not only for the Washington household, but for the steady stream of guests who visited the estate.

Wigle’s modern interpretation remains rooted in those early American traditions. Crafted from Apple Brandy infused with tart cherries and warm baking spices, the spirit balances bright fruit with rich depth and warming spice — a tribute to both history and craftsmanship.

“This release is about more than reviving a historic recipe,” said Wigle Whiskey’s Chief Operating Officer, Alex Moser. “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 vibrant original artwork from acclaimed illustrator Mark Bender, whose work is showcased in the Heinz History Center’s “My America: An Illustrated Experience” exhibition. The collaboration merges American history, art and craft spirits into a collectible release commemorating the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration.

“We are excited to have partnered with Wigle Whiskey and bring history to life with their development of Cherry Bounce,” said Brady Smith, 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.”

To celebrate the bottle release, Wigle Whiskey will host a bottle release party at the Distillery from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 18. The label artist Mark Bender will be featuring a print of the label and other pieces of his Pittsburgh-inspired art. The Wigle Bar will be serving featured Cherry Bounce cocktails, and representatives from the Heinz History Center will be on site to discuss how the region is commemorating America’s 250th.

For more information, visit wiglewhiskey.com.