Jim Rutledge to start his own distillery

[kcgumbohead]

I just became a backer as well Gary, going from the cult to the alliance!! LOL!!

Edited May 2, 2016 by kcgumbohead

[Spade]

I think it's really great that there might be a new distillery that does things the right way. And, while I'm OK with small startups using crowdsourcing, I'm not so sure about this case. This is a well known figure who presumably has connections and would be able to raise money without this sort of thing. I see it only managed to raise about $9,000 yesterday.

[GaryT]

I expect this isn't as much about raising the capital, as it is building a customer base of support (folks who have bought "bricks" are likely to feel some connection, etc).  And I think the platform prevents them from prizes that would be more compelling (like a barrel, or a bottle, etc).  I think they could have spent more time figuring out some other options (like an autographed tasting glass; while selling "liquor" might not fly - maybe a coupon redeemable at their gift shop for ANY purchase up to $100, etc).  Hopefully this doesn't backfire and result in them not being able to get the capital they need to get this going.  

[flahute]

The crowd funding is only for the initial costs of land acquisition, consultant fees, and other related legal fees. Actual constructions costs would be funded by private investors.

[Canarse]

$1.9M goal?  That's a lot of money.  They are asking people to give them the land, consultant and other related legal fees?  Nope.  Make some good whiskey and I'll gladly buy it.

[kcgumbohead]

I am in, I've spent more and gotten less than my "donation" to JRs distillery enough times in my life that if 100 bucks makes even the SLIGHTEST impact on this moving from theoretical to practical, I say money well spent. So called craft distilleries are sprouting like mushrooms and charging a handsome amount for often, lets say, inconsistent product of unknown provenance. Now Jim Rutledge, a legitimate distilling legend with a phenomenal track record is throwing his hat in the ring? yeah I am going to get onboard with that. It may be a few years but I am willing to wait for what will no doubt in my mind be absolutely outstanding bourbon.

Edited May 4, 2016 by kcgumbohead
cant get it right the first time

[The Black Tot]

Yep, I'm in as well. We're going to need all the good whiskey we can get down the road. AND all the good master distillers. We're going to be loving this in 10yrs.

 

He totally should have named the place 5 Roses.

[Kyjd75]

They have decided to shut down the crowd funding effort and are returning all money contributed so far.  I was a contributor and received two emails concerning this just about a hour ago.  All persons who donated will be charter members of the distillery ambassadors, will be invited to the grand opening, and will receive al sorts of perks in the years ahead.  They're clearly disappointed in the CF response and thus the decision to shut it down.  But I do appreciate the perks they are giving us (if I live long enough to enjoy them!!).

[jaxn slim]

I'm a little disappointed they abandoned the indiegogo campaign, but I'm happy that I get to be an ambassador for free, now.

[GaryT]

I hope that the poor CF setup doesn't hurt his capital raise.  Looking forward to some LE bottles when I retire though!

[squire]

On 4/29/2016 at 7:42 PM, flahute said:

I've been wondering why he was absent from any role as a Four Roses ambassador. I did not see this coming.

 

http://www.jwrutledgedistilleryllc.com/

 

You Tube video of him on the site tells the story.

 

A wheated mashbill.

A rye whiskey! (Something he's wanted to do all along)

Plus rye based bourbons per usual.

 

Wow.

An idea whose time has come.