Next month, Kentucky’s RD1 Distillery is set to open the doors of its new home at The Commons in Lexington, a mixed-use development that includes other businesses, a park, restaurants, and amenities. The move initially was expected to take place last August, but weather factors and permit delays pushed it until May 14 of this year.
Located one mile north of the brand's previous home on Manchester Street, now permanently closed, RD1’s new 10,215 square foot, two-story location will have a visitor experience centering around wood finishing, the brand’s calling card since its inception in 2020. Three times larger than the previous location, the new venue offers outdoor seating on both levels, with views of the town’s historic water tower. Inside are multiple bourbon-tasting spaces, including a speakeasy and bourbon bar, four private tasting rooms, private event spaces, and a gift shop with RD1 merch and the label’s bourbon available for purchase. Notable among the features is a glass-enclosed research and development distillery and wood finishing lab.
RD1’s name is inspired by Lexington’s first federally licensed distillery, William Tarr Distillery, established in 1865 with the designation “RD#1.” In its heyday, William Tarr made whiskey for a number of labels, and under various owners, the distillery was destroyed by fire in 1919. The modern-day RD1 sources bourbon from Western Kentucky Distilling Co., which is headed up by 8th-generation distiller Jason Call.
Limited tasting experiences are available this month at the new location while construction finishes. There is also a new bourbon to commemorate the move. It’s unfinished, though holding claim as the label’s oldest expression yet at 12 years of age. The focus is on age here, while other whiskeys in the label’s lineup showcase a range of wood finishes. Bottled at cask strength between 121.1-127.3 proof (60.55%-63.65% ABV), it’s packaged in a decanter bottle with gold lettering. The black display case nods to Lexington’s thoroughbred farms with its four-plank wooden fence circle design. Only 250 bottles will be available at the distillery.
At $800 a bottle, this is touted as the label’s first collectible. Pre-order is now available online, and bottles must be picked up at the new distillery. Alternatively, those who find themselves in Lexington can purchase a bottle at the distillery gift shop beginning May 14th. Those who make a purchase before July 15th will be welcomed to a private bourbon tasting at the distillery in late summer. The label has more in the works with a limited wood-finished expression due out this May.
