Introducing Echoes of Oak: Jim Rutledge’s Next Chapter

Introducing certain products can carry a bit more weight than others, and today’s release is one of those moments. As many of you know, I’m a huge Four Roses fan, so the name Jim Rutledge has always held a special place for me. It’s an honor and a privilege to help introduce this next era in his remarkable career.
 
Jim is a living legend in bourbon. As Master Distiller at Four Roses from 1994 to 2015, he brought the brand back to prominence with his mastery of blending its ten recipes, setting a global standard for craftsmanship. His work earned him a place in the Bourbon Hall of Fame and the Icons of Whiskey Hall of Fame—one of only two Americans to receive that distinction.

 
Even after retiring, Jim never stepped away from shaping bourbon. He has mentored distillers, consulted across Kentucky, and continued to create whiskeys that reflect his precision and passion. Today, as Master Distiller and blender at Pennyroyal Distillery, Jim is once again leaving his mark on the future of American whiskey.
 
That begins with Echoes of Oak, the first release from Pennyroyal. This very small batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is Jim’s first full creation since his time at Four Roses—overseeing every step from distillation to blending.
 
Echoes of Oak is comprised of just 23 barrels, all contract distilled by Jim and hand-selected for this inaugural release. Aged between nearly 6 and just over 9 years, it showcases his preferred high-rye mashbill (65% corn, 25% rye, 10% malted barley) and is bottled at 107.2 proof.
 
This is a rare opportunity to experience the vision of one of bourbon’s greatest names, brought to life in a bottle, and Seelbach's is the only online platform you can find it. 
 
The nose opens with wildflower honey and nougat, followed by a kiss of orange oil, sweet leather, dark chocolate, and oak.
 
The palate moves in a back-and-forth between red fruits and peppered melon, before shifting into creamy chocolate truffle, buttery oak char, and a mix of warming spices.
 
The finish builds steadily, carrying forward the fruits from the palate alongside spiced vanilla bean, buttery seasoned oak, and a thick custard-like richness that lingers long and spacious.

Echoes of Oak is no ordinary Kentucky Straight Bourbon—it’s a journey of the senses crafted by the legendary Jim Rutledge, inviting you to experience whiskey through four senses while the fifth, sound, resonates in the shared moments that make this bourbon unforgettable.
 
Jim has always said you evaluate whiskey with four senses: sight, smell, touch and taste. Jim’s expert eye begins with the golden corn, meticulously inspecting its quality, then follows the vibrant mash and marvels at the rich amber hue of the final pour, ensuring every stage reflects perfection. The aromas tell a story of their own: the sweet, earthy scent of corn fresh from the fields, the warm, yeasty embrace of the fermenters, and the complex bouquets of honey, vanilla, fruit and oak that rises from your glass, promising something extraordinary. Touch comes alive in the careful selection of each grain, ensuring only the finest make the cut, and in the whiskey’s smooth, velvety mouthfeel, delivering a finish that lingers like a warm memory. Taste the journey—from a daring dip of a finger into the fermenter’s subtle sweetness to the bourbon’s impeccable balance, where notes of oak, molasses, fruit, and spice dance on your palate, smooth and unforgettable.
 
Then there’s the fifth sense—sound. You won’t hear the whiskey aging in the barrel, but its quality echoes through time, shaped by the oak’s silent work. That echo carries into the clink of glasses, the laughter of friends, and the stories shared over a pour of Echoes of Oak. It’s the conversations with family or new companions, the impressions echoing long after the last sip, that make this bourbon more than a drink—it’s a catalyst for connection.
 
Echoes of Oak is craftsmanship distilled - a sensory symphony that invites you to savor, share, and let the echoes linger.