John Rhea

John Rhea
Master Blender at Kentucky Owl (Retired)

John Rhea, a seasoned veteran in the bourbon industry, began his journey over four decades ago, laying the foundation for a distinguished career that has shaped Kentucky’s bourbon heritage. Born and raised in Bullitt County, Kentucky, Rhea pursued an engineering degree and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Days after graduation, Rhea joined Four Roses Distillery as a Maintenance Supervisor, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career in bourbon craftsmanship.

Over the years, Rhea’s commitment and expertise propelled him up the ranks at Four Roses, where he became Chief Operating Officer. His responsibilities spanned every aspect of distillery operations, including quality control, maturation, and product blending. Under his leadership, Four Roses flourished, regaining its status as one of the world’s most sought-after bourbon brands. Known for his quiet yet impactful leadership, Rhea was instrumental in both modernizing the distillery and preserving the legacy of traditional bourbon-making methods. His dedication to the industry extended beyond his work at Four Roses; he served on the Kentucky Distillers’ Association Board, holding positions as Director, Treasurer, Vice-Chairman, and Chairman, where he tirelessly advocated for Kentucky’s bourbon industry on both state and national stages.

In recognition of his contributions, Rhea was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2016, joining a select group of individuals who have left an indelible mark on the bourbon industry. That same year, he retired from Four Roses after a 40-year career, having built a legacy rooted in quality, tradition, and innovation.

In 2021, Rhea returned to the bourbon world as Master Blender for Kentucky Owl, a subsidiary of Stoli Group. Embracing this new chapter, he brought his wealth of experience to Kentucky Owl, where he oversaw product consistency and quality while exploring innovative blends to expand the brand’s offerings. One of his most notable projects at Kentucky Owl was his collaboration on the Takumi Edition, a limited-edition release created with Yusuke Yahisa, Master Blender at Japan's Nagahama Distillery. This collaboration celebrated the art of blending across cultures, drawing on the Japanese philosophy of "kaizen" continuous improvement to showcase Kentucky bourbon through the eyes of Japanese whisky craftsmanship.

For the Takumi Edition, Rhea selected four different bourbon formulations, representing a range of ages and mash bills, and sent samples to Japan. Yahisa then created unique blends from these samples, combining flavors that reflect his style in Japanese whisky. This collaboration encompasses not just the art of blending, but the flavors and taste profiles that both countries are famous for in their whiskeys, Rhea shared, highlighting the innovative approach to tradition that the Takumi Edition embodied.

Under Rhea's guidance, Kentucky Owl released multiple acclaimed bourbons, including the St. Patrick’s Limited Edition in March 2022. His dedication to Kentucky Owl brought traditional craftsmanship and innovative blending techniques to the brand, ensuring a legacy of quality and distinction.

John Rhea officially retired as Master Blender in 2023, marking the end of a career that spanned decades of dedication, innovation, and respect for the craft. His influence continues to inspire new generations of distillers, and his legacy resonates across Kentucky’s bourbon heritage, ensuring that the art of bourbon blending will be cherished for years to come.

Contributed by: Sanjay Smile, Long Island, New York

with support from Kate Byrne, The Bourbon Capital Region Section Editor, Bardstown, Kentucky