Four Roses Master Distiller To Retire

By Richard Thomas

Jim Rutledge, who has served as Master Distiller at Four Roses since 1995 and was the main architect of the bourbon brand’s revival, announced his retirement date last Thursday. Rutledge will step down on September 1st.

Sometimes referred to as “Mr. Four Roses,” Jim Rutledge went to work for the distillery shortly after college in the late 1960s. During that time he experienced the brands fall from being one of America’s premier bourbon whiskeys to being best known for an inferior blended whiskey. The turnaround for Four Roses began in 2002, when Japanese brewing company Kirin acquired the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery.

Using Rutledge’s expertise, Four Roses rapidly grew into a leading maker of mass market, premium and super premium bourbons. Until recently, Four Roses was also a major supplier for Bulleit’s bourbon.

Rutledge’s departure from Four Roses had been seriously rumored in Kentucky bourbon circles for more than a year. He will be replaced at the company by the current quality director, Brent Elliot.

Jim Rutledge will turn 72 in December, but it would be more accurate to describe his departure from Four Roses as a semi-retirement, as he has expressed interest in consulting in America’s booming micro-distillery sector