Rutledge's Choice

If there's anyone in this industry I want to be like, it's Jim Rutledge. He is absolutely one of my biggest mentors. Not because I want to make whiskey like him (which I wish I could, obviously), but because of the kind, friendly, and open-hearted way he treats everyone he meets. He will bend over backwards for you and he's happy to do it. I watch him and the way he handles his customers and I take note.

When I was having trouble finding a cask of Four Roses single barrel I liked, Jim sent me an email saying, "What's up?" I told him that all of the samples they had been sending out were good, but that I was being picky. I was waiting for the gut feeling I get and the excitement that goes through my spine when I taste something superlative. Jim told me, "Well I'm going to drive out to the warehouse tomorrow and pick your samples myself. I'm sure I can find something that will excite you." And so he did. And now that whiskey is here.

There's nothing out of the ordinary or unique about this whiskey, no ripe banana notes or soft cherries, and nothing new. This OBSV cask is simply straightforward, classic, and honest -- much like Rutledge himself. Creamy vanilla, a healthy dose of spice, lots of sweet wood on the finish with a touch of burnt sugar. It's a whopper, too, at 61.6% and 10.5 years of age. It's not a Bourbon you absolutely need to have -- there's nothing collectable about it and it's not something we haven't seen before. It's probably a Bourbon that you'll want, however. I want one, at least.

In stock now.

Four Roses K&L Exclusive OBSV Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon $59.99

-David Driscoll