Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Rubens.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After working in Corporate American for the better part of a decade, I was starting to miss sight of my passion for entrepreneurship and out of the box thinking. I was at an invitational speaking engagement in New Orleans when I came in contact with Old New Orleans Rum Distillery. The tour of the distillery was my light bulb moment, and the rest is pretty much history. That was in 2014 which lead to the decision to jump headfirst into launching R6 DISTILLERY, LA’s First Bourbon Distillery.
Has it been a smooth road?
Most days in the first few years are a struggle (not to say it’s smooth sailing after that). The alcohol industry is one of the most highly regulated in the country and has every level of government involved at some level of the process.
Jesus, faith, family, friends, and perseverance (as well as some very thick skin) guided us in the right direction in a highly competitive market to where we are today.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with R6 DISTILLERY – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
R6 is a tribute to my great grandfather (Claude Rubens) and his five brothers who opened the Rubens Rialto Theatre in 1926. So R and six both have double meanings (Rubens Rialto; 6 brothers in 1926).
R6 produces and is LA’s First Bourbon; the distillery is a family-owned, award-winning grain to glass spirits company comprised of a small team charged with accomplishing A LOT. We specialize in whiskey, vodka, and ready-to-drink cocktails.
Every day presents the privilege of working with the folks on our team who I consider family. Every day is a challenge to be better than the day prior. And every day is a fresh start.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The beach. I couldn’t be here without living and working in a Beach City. It was the whole reason I moved to California from Chicago. Chicago will always be home, but the beach is my home away from home and what keeps me sane.
There is an element of ‘who knows who’ in LA, which is my least favorite part about it. But I find you get much less of that mentality near the beach – hence why I’m here also!
Contact Info:
- Address: 909 E. El Segundo Boulevard
El Segundo, California 90245 - Website: www.r6distillery.com
- Phone: 424.277.1134
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/r6distillery
- Facebook: facebook.com/r6distillery
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/smoky-hollow-tasting-and-taproom-el-segundo
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