Episode 542: July 4, 2015

Jim Rutledge gets most of the credit for reviving Four Roses Bourbon in the US over the last decade after years of neglect by the brand’s previous owners, who shipped the distillery’s high-quality Bourbon to export markets while giving domestic consumers a cheaply blended Four Roses American Whiskey instead. This week, Rutledge announced his plans to retire September 1 after 49 years with Seagram and Four Roses, and will become the distillery’s Master Distiller Emeritus. We’ll talk with Jim about his plans for the future, and how the success of Four Roses in recent years came with a personal cost. We’ll also talk about whisky and food with award-winning chef David Bouley, discuss Suntory’s new Hibiki Japanese Harmony whisky with blender Shinji Fukuyo, and preview the upcoming Harlem Whiskey Festival.

Links: Four Roses | Bouley | Suntory Whisky | The Balvenie | Tullibardine | Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky | Glann ar Mor | Bruichladdich | Heaven Hill | Diageo | Scotch Whisky Association | Sidney Frank Importing Company | Beam Suntory | Harlem Whiskey Festival | Jim Beam | Crown Royal | Smooth Ambler | Spirit of America Bourbon