Joe Ledbetter, a co-founder of craft distilling upstart Chattanooga Whiskey and a dead-ringer for the mustachioed character Ron Swanson from NBC’s hit comedy Parks and Recreation, is coming out with a stern warning about hasty over-consumption after spending part of the weekend in the drunk tank.

“I think whiskey should be consumed and enjoyed slowly,” he told Chattanooga's Times Free Press after being sprung from jail. “In my opinion, I have a responsibility more than others because of what I do for a living. It's unacceptable."

Police popped Ledbetter early Sunday as he was exiting a bar. According to reports, he smelled strongly of booze and was slurring his words when he approached police to help him get a cab home. When officers on the scene pointed him in the direction of several taxis at a nearby corner, he became annoyed and unruly. His brash behavior escalated to the point where police cuffed and arrested him for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

Further compounding matters, Ledbetter threatened the officers while they were taking him in. So now in addition to a night spent in the drunk tank, he faces charges of retaliation against a judge, juror or officer.

Upon his release, Ledbetter was remorseful and denounced his behavior over and over again, while issuing his warning about taking in too much liquor too fast. 

Photo: Chattanooga Whiskey/Facebook