Visit Four Roses Distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
By Robert J. Nebel
Editor, Mens Traveler
Jim Rutledge knows his bourbon. No, scratch that. Jim Rutledge and bourbon are synonymous. Just who is Jim Rutledge? Jim Rutledge is the Master Distiller at Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
When I recently met with Mr. Rutledge at Atlanta’s legendary D.B.A. Barbecue, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. After all, I write about travel, not really bourbon production. Sure, I’ve covered breweries to visit, but really, bourbon? Is there a travel component here? After meeting Rutledge, I quickly discovered that there’s not only a travel story, but some serious history about creating some of the world’s finest bourbon known to bourbon aficionados.
Rutledge started out in the industry about 44-years ago in Louisville’s Seagram’s plant. He took on several roles over the years in bottling, distilling, shipping and analyzing gin botanicals. The company relocated him to New York in the late seventies. The Southern transplant stayed there until 1992 when he returned back to his native Kentucky and Four Roses.
“I loved New York and made a lot of friends there,” he recalled, while sipping on one of his 10 bourbon recipes.
As I was indulging in one of the bourbons myself, Rutledge told me the whole history of the distillery and how it came to be known as Four Roses. He became the distillery’s Master Distiller in 1995, a distinction that is well-respected in the bourbon and whisky community. On this day, Rutledge is touring several locations in Atlanta to talk to groups about Four Roses’ ten blends of bourbon. His passion to the craft shows as he explains the time and care that goes into the production.
That dedication shows in the accolades that have been bestowed upon Rutledge. He received Whisky magazine’s “2008 Ambassador of the Year for American Whiskeys” and a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2007 from Malt Advocate magazine.
Four Roses is proud to be a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a collection of the state’s finest distilleries. Located on the Salt River in Lawrenceburg, a hamlet north of Louisville, Four Roses is open for tours Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It’s here where you learn about yeast strains, mashbills and the differences between the more fruity and spicy varieties. When you visit, you’ll hear about the magic that went into those barrels made the 10 blends so popular at events like Taste of the Bluegrass and as “Best American Whisky, 2005.
As for Rutledge, he plans to keep on educating captive audiences on the art of bourbon-making.
Four Roses' Rutledge
“I know when I’ll retire,” Rutledge said. “It will be when I say, ‘I don’t want to come to work today.’ That’s when work just won’t be fun anymore.”
Information:
Four Roses Distillery
Four Roses.us
1-502-839-3436
Info@fourroses.us
Four Roses’ Visitor Center
1-502-839-3436, extension 18
Four Roses’ Warehouse Facility
1-502-543-2264
Kentucky Tourism.com
Photos: Courtesy of Four Roses Distillery
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