Jim Rutledge has been in Bourbon business 49 years
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (July 1, 2015) — Long-time Master Distiller Jim Rutledge announced he will retire from Four Roses Distillery effective Sept. 1, CEO and president Satoko Yoshida announced today.
Rutledge is in his 49th year working in the Bourbon business with Seagram and Four Roses and he has been Master Distiller at Four Roses for more than 20 years.
In 2001, Rutledge was inducted into the inaugural class of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. He was given a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Malt Advocate Magazine in 2007, and in 2008 Whisky Magazine named him “Whisky Ambassador of the Year — American Whiskies.” In 2012, Whisky Magazine also named him to its Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame, for global whiskies. He was the second American inducted into this elite group of whisky makers.
Operations director Brent Elliott will replace Rutledge as Master Distiller.
Add Comment