Four Roses master distiller announces retirement

Four Roses Bourbon master distiller Jim Rutledge is to retire after more than 20 years in the position.

Rutledge boasts 49 years of working in the Bourbon industry, and said he plans to stay involved in the industry hinting at various roles including Four Roses master distiller emeritus.

Current quality director Brent Elliott will succeed Rutledge as master distiller when he steps down on 1 September.

Rutledge said: “With Brent’s knowledge of the Bourbon industry, the distillery process, and his passion for all facets of Four Roses Distillery operations, I have every confidence the growth of Four Roses Bourbons will continue under Brent’s leadership.”

Satoko Yoshida, Four Roses Distillery’s CEO and president, said the entire Four Roses team sincerely thanked Rutledge for his “many years of passion for the Bourbon he made for so many years” and the “dedication and loyalty he exhibited throughout his career for the employees of Four Roses.

“He will be missed as the ‘face of Four Roses Bourbon’, but we now wish him much happiness and success in his retirement years,” Yoshida added.

“I am also excited to have the opportunity to work with Brent in his new capacity of master distiller.”