Grand Opening of RD1 Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky

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News Summary

RD1 Distillery will celebrate its grand opening in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 14. The event marks the release of a special whiskey and is part of a $5 million development project aimed at enhancing the local Distillery District. Visitors can enjoy a two-story tasting room and events hosted by notable figures, alongside a limited run of exceptional bourbon, highlighting the distillery’s commitment to quality and community engagement.

Lexington

RD1 Distillery is set to mark its grand opening in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 14, featuring a special whiskey release to celebrate the occasion. This new distillery and visitor center is part of a $5 million development project aimed at enhancing the local Distillery District and attracting more tourism to the area.

The distillery is located at Turner Commons off Leestown Road, a new mixed-use development that will also include restaurants, bars, retail spaces, and townhomes. With plans for 14 commercial buildings and new infrastructure, the site is designed to become a vibrant destination within the city.

In conjunction with the opening, RD1 Distillery will release a limited Single Barrel 12-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon at a price of $799 per bottle. Only 250 bottles will be available, drawn from six barrels. Each bottle will be presented in a crystal decanter etched with gold in a display case inspired by Lexington’s horse farm fencing. Bourbon enthusiasts can order their bottles online at RD1spirits.com.

Visitors to the distillery can look forward to a two-story tasting room, a gift shop, a research and development area, a wood finishing lab, a bourbon bar, a speakeasy, and event spaces. In a unique promotion, Mark Stoops plans to host a private bourbon tasting for buyers of the RD1 12-year bourbon who place orders by July 15.

The bourbon features rich tasting notes, including aromas of sweet caramel, leather, and vanilla cola, with a palate that boasts flavors of spiced peppercorn, stone fruit, and a savory caramel finish. RD1 Spirits produces its whiskeys in partnership with Western Kentucky Distilling Co. in Beaver Dam, which shares owners with RD1 Spirits.

The founding team of RD1 Spirits includes partners such as Barry Brinegar, Mike Tetterton, Marsha Couch, Raj Patel, and Mark Stoops. The company was launched in 2020, with an aim to honor William Tarr, who established Lexington’s first registered distillery. RD1 has won multiple awards, including accolades for its Old Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve.

Prior to launching its own distillery, RD1 Spirits utilized bourbon and rye sourced from Green River Distilling in Owensboro. However, that distillery has since been sold to Bardstown Bourbon Co. in 2022. As of 2022, RD1 Spirits had released four bourbon variants, which featured finishes including French oak, maple barrels, and Brazilian amburana wood.

A new 800-gallon pot still in Lexington is expected to produce between 50 to 100 barrels annually for experimental distilling purposes. Visitors to RD1’s site will not only be able to sample existing bourbons but also participate in custom blending experiences.

The project received over $500,000 in economic incentives from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority and gained approval for a zone change from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council in February 2023. The development is taking shape on a site that was previously a tobacco warehouse area and is designed to revitalize the community.

Developer Daren Turner has proposed including additional attractions such as a bar named Paws and Pints and a pickleball facility in the Turner Commons development. This project aims to combine elements of entertainment, dining, and commerce, establishing a unique destination for both locals and visitors in Lexington.