Ok, I'll admit I'm an old timer, but when I've seen it used it was in reference to someone of character, true grit (e.g not shallow). A person of honor, that you trust, that when you look at them you don't feel a chill run down your back that they speak out of both sides of their mouth. Examples (to me) would be Heston, Reagan, my dad, oh, and of course, all my heroes (g).