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Jim Rutledge project


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Hmmm.  If JR "distilled" this as the release claims, then I suppose it has to be sourced from Four Roses.  Anyone know any of the specifics of this venture?

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7 hours ago, Kyjd75 said:

Hmmm.  If JR "distilled" this as the release claims, then I suppose it has to be sourced from Four Roses.  Anyone know any of the specifics of this venture?

I'd be surprised if they were able to get their hands on any 4R product unless they got it from Diageo (from the Bulleit stocks). My guess is that the "distilled by" comment is a mistake (or just misleading) and that this bourbon is from the same stock of Barton barrels that Jim is using for the Cream of Kentucky releases.

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If it is Cream of Ky stock, it is Barton. 
Either way, I can buy 13 year old sourced KSBW for $170 or I can keep picking up ECBP 12 yr BP for $65 and Russell’s Reserve 10 yr/ 90 proof for $38. 
 

y’all let me know how the Blue Run is. 

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The degree of douchebaggery in the concepts and messaging these jags are promoting is off the charts.  I’m bordering on being embarrassed for Jim Rutledge (who is on my Mt. Rushmore of bourbon distillers, and will remain there, regardless) to be associated with this group of twats.  I can only hope a compelling reason comes to light, eventually.  

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1 hour ago, smokinjoe said:

The degree of douchebaggery in the concepts and messaging these jags are promoting is off the charts.  I’m bordering on being embarrassed for Jim Rutledge (who is on my Mt. Rushmore of bourbon distillers, and will remain there, regardless) to be associated with this group of twats.  I can only hope a compelling reason comes to light, eventually.  

Joe, I had similar thoughts when I read this. The guy goes from having an impeccable reputation with 4R to overpriced Cream of Kentucky to this...thing. 

This is a little less ridiculous than Peg Leg Porker's 15 year 90 proof $400 likely Dickel, but it's still ridiculous. 

But they both have less than 3,000 bottles, so they HAVE to be good!

 

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11 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

The degree of douchebaggery in the concepts and messaging these jags are promoting is off the charts.  I’m bordering on being embarrassed for Jim Rutledge (who is on my Mt. Rushmore of bourbon distillers, and will remain there, regardless) to be associated with this group of twats.  I can only hope a compelling reason comes to light, eventually.  

I am still laughing after this post.   Well done.

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13 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

 I can only hope a compelling reason comes to light, eventually.  


Guessing this is the compromise with his investors, Rutledge uses his name to get some sourced whiskey out and generate some cash flow now and I presume he gets full (or substantial) control over the new distillate. 

 

The Age statement progression, 11.5, 12.3 now 13 does seem to suggest same lot of Barton barrels. I’m not a buyer of ANY of them, but will likely try any JR own distillate that’s released with no prejudice for these “curated” releases. Preferably at the 6plus year mark, although a 4 yr JR distilled BiB  would be very cool as well. 

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Please forgive me, ‘cause I’m really not trying to be a downer here.
 

After retiring from 4R’s, plans were made for the J.W. Rutledge Distillery. Jim had a two year consulting contract with Castle & Key, that I believe ran its course. Now this deal with Blue Run. Yeah, I know you have to make a few bucks to keep things going. The Covid pandemic reared its ugly head and made things rough for a lot of folks, but it appears that they’re still trying to make a go of the J.W. Rutledge Distillery. Mr. Rutledge is 73 years old. He’s had a number of health issues over the last few years. I can’t help but wonder if he’ll be around long enough to see his namesake distillery become a reality.

 

Joe

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ABOUT BLUE RUN SPIRITS 
Blue Run Spirits is a new kind of spirits company, creating a unique luxury proposition by tapping into the deep heritage and craft that makes a truly great whiskey, then elevating it through a modern design and marketing lens to reach a younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker. The company’s founders include a Nike designer, the first director-level employee at Facebook, a hospitality executive, a political advisor, and a philanthropist – all huge whiskey fans and individuals who acutely understand how to build demand and buzz for a contemporary consumer product. They are backed by a team of advisors including Nike marketing experts; the Campari communications veteran behind the US launch of Espolòn Tequila and the Aperol Spritz; a former vice president of innovation from Brown-Forman; a former spirits distributor; and others with deep industry experience. The Blue Run name is a nod to one of our founder’s upbringing in Georgetown, KY, where Bourbon began in the Bluegrass State.

?

 

-"a younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker"

 

?

 

 

What a steaming pile of ??

I'll stick with the old, narrow minded guys.  Somebody pass the Wild Turkey.

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2 hours ago, 0895 said:

ABOUT BLUE RUN SPIRITS 
Blue Run Spirits is a new kind of spirits company, creating a unique luxury proposition by tapping into the deep heritage and craft that makes a truly great whiskey, then elevating it through a modern design and marketing lens to reach a younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker. The company’s founders include a Nike designer, the first director-level employee at Facebook, a hospitality executive, a political advisor, and a philanthropist – all huge whiskey fans and individuals who acutely understand how to build demand and buzz for a contemporary consumer product. They are backed by a team of advisors including Nike marketing experts; the Campari communications veteran behind the US launch of Espolòn Tequila and the Aperol Spritz; a former vice president of innovation from Brown-Forman; a former spirits distributor; and others with deep industry experience. The Blue Run name is a nod to one of our founder’s upbringing in Georgetown, KY, where Bourbon began in the Bluegrass State.

?

 

-"a younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker"

 

?

 

 

What a steaming pile of ??

I'll stick with the old, narrow minded guys.  Somebody pass the Wild Turkey.

Ah, distinctly I remember a computer nerd friend circa 1970 telling me about the possibility of personal (i.e., NON-mainframe) computers!!!  "Prime has something going for it and aggressively pursues you.  Digital products don't come through but look really good.  Wang is stringing workstations together - sort of group participation.  IBM just sits on the edge of the bed and tells you how GOOD it's going to be."

 

OR

 

A camel is a horse designed by committee.

 

OR

 

Friends of mine ALSO like bourbon.  NO WAY would we trust each other to design and release a brand commercially.  Why not?  Look inside yourselves, SBers. 

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10 hours ago, Bob_Loblaw said:


Guessing this is the compromise with his investors, Rutledge uses his name to get some sourced whiskey out and generate some cash flow now and I presume he gets full (or substantial) control over the new distillate. 

 

The Age statement progression, 11.5, 12.3 now 13 does seem to suggest same lot of Barton barrels. I’m not a buyer of ANY of them, but will likely try any JR own distillate that’s released with no prejudice for these “curated” releases. Preferably at the 6plus year mark, although a 4 yr JR distilled BiB  would be very cool as well. 

You are correct but this project is different from that. I think this is a simple consultation project.

Cream of Kentucky and High Plains (which has no releases yet) are brands under Jim's umbrella.

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1 hour ago, flahute said:

You are correct but this project is different from that. I think this is a simple consultation project.

Cream of Kentucky and High Plains (which has no releases yet) are brands under Jim's umbrella.

Upon reflection - To the extent that some critics (and even a few insiders) may regard Blue Run as a vanity project and that some of the participants seem to be "taking a flyer", I've decided I cannot criticize their actions. 

 

It appears the "business" side has ample experience re: production, quality control, and sales (certainly in intangibles, physical product, and transportation/delivery albeit not in distilled spirits) while the "investor" side has plenty of free cash so their families and kids won't suffer if the enterprise crashes and burns, so I'm not sure who is really "harmed" by the enterprise (other than Taters, maybe, he typed as a joke). 

 

Mr. Rutledge at his age, like me of a slightly higher age, may not be around to see the ultimate products roll out (and only care somewhat about these interim products which are a means, not an end). but perhaps he and his investors and advisors have a "long view".  I am thinking of the great estate plantings in England - grand grass planes bordered by stately oaks and interspersed with shrubbery and flowers.  Some of the trees would not reach maturity for a hundred years or so after planting, but the designers nevertheless visualized what the "final product" would look like, KNOWING they would not live to see it but trusting that future generations would enjoy their vision.

 

Here in the US of A, we have an example we have ALL seen - Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, Louisiana.  SEE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Alley_Plantation

 

IOW, I'm giving Mr. Rutledge a chance to create a SECOND legacy to match or exceed his 4R monument - which is IMpressive.  If it means some rich and accomplished people have a good time helping him AND/OR lose some excess money doing so (which, BTW, doesn't just disappear - it does create jobs, buy stuff, and create some amount of "value"), HAVE AT IT!.

 

And, so to bed - "Cobra" on PBS is over and Johnnie Dollar on Sirius/XM starts in four minutes. (BIG SMILE).

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31 minutes ago, Harry in WashDC said:

 

Here in the US of A, we have an example we have ALL seen - Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, Louisiana.  SEE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Alley_Plantation

 

That place is stunningly beautiful.  So glad I took the trek out there from NOLA a couple years back.  Too bad the mint juleps were made with early times and overly sweetened, but I shut up and drank them like a man while enjoying the scenery.

:)

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11 hours ago, 0895 said:

 

That place is stunningly beautiful.  So glad I took the trek out there from NOLA a couple years back.  Too bad the mint juleps were made with early times and overly sweetened, but I shut up and drank them like a man while enjoying the scenery.

:)

This actually sits on my desk at work. That place was awesome. I liked the MJ well enough.20201026_102044.thumb.jpg.0f77c53e1b3002e1381f9175deae5fc3.jpg

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17 hours ago, flahute said:

You are correct but this project is different from that. I think this is a simple consultation project.

Cream of Kentucky and High Plains (which has no releases yet) are brands under Jim's umbrella.

Gotcha, thanks. 

 

Guess my overall point is I am ready to critique and judge the specifications/age/cost/quality of Jim Rutledge's distillate, but have no problems passing and not judging on these "curated/consultation" releases.  The latter seems to be a more immediate business driven decision and although they do not appeal to me I certainly understand the need for some positive cash flow.  Plus I guess this also keep JR's name out there in the current market.   

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1 hour ago, Bob_Loblaw said:  Plus I guess this also keep JR's name out there in the current market.   

I’ll echo, in that the general consensus here appears to feel that this hasn’t been done in a way that appears to enhance his legacy.  
 

For purist enthusiasts, like many of us who are here, these recent events have been sad and unfortunate.... not in any manner at all nearing what we’d hope and desired for his great legacy post Four Roses.  

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2 hours ago, Bob_Loblaw said:

  Plus I guess this also keep JR's name out there in the current market.   

This is what a prompted me to write above.  My attempt to selectively quote was a massive failure.?

Edited by Paddy
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