J. W. Rutledge Distillery LLC

Rutledge retired from Four Roses Distillery in September 2015, and after nearly 8 months of retirement he said: "I realize it is time for me to get back to work!” He announced today "I have partnered with two close friends and business associates, Stephen Camisa and Jon Mowry, to commence efforts to build a modern, highly efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable distillery near Louisville, KY. The distillery will be named: ‘J. W. Rutledge Distillery, LLC.' Stephen, Jon and I have more than 120 years of varying experience and expertise in the distilled spirits industry.” Rutledge said he plans to use two, or more, yeast strains in combination with several high rye Bourbon mashbills to produce very high quality Kentucky Straight Bourbons. He is also excited about producing a "wheated” Bourbon, which uses wheat as the small flavoring grain. Rutledge indicated he has had a long-time desire to produce a straight rye whiskey, and he went on to say: "I promise, a straight rye whiskey will be distilled, barrels filled and aging in our warehouse within the first year of operation.”