RD1 Spirits has officially opened its new RD1 Distillery located on The Commons. As one of the newest stops on the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the $5 million, 10,215-square-foot distillery is expected to attract up to 30,000 visitors each year. Company representatives say this will boost local tourism and support economic growth in the area.
A Research and Development Focus
The distillery is designed primarily as a research and development facility. It features a 240-barrel barn visible both inside and out, a 50-gallon fermentation tank, a custom hybrid still with a still column, and an 800-gallon still for producing larger batches. Head distiller Jarrad Gollihue leads the R&D efforts, which include innovative wood finishing experiments. Visitors can also experience tasting oak barrels firsthand.
Official Ribbon Cutting and Praise from Leadership
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear congratulated RD1 Spirits. He said, “This is more than just a distillery. It’s an example of the opportunities that bourbon tourism can bring to communities across the Commonwealth. This is a huge boost for the bourbon industry in Lexington and across our state.”
Creating a Unique Bourbon Trail Experience
Mike Tetterton, CEO of RD1 Spirits, explained the distillery’s approach: “We listened to our fans and their love for wood accents. By reimagining the original, we created a one-of-a-kind experience on the Bourbon Trail.”
One of the distillery’s standout features is the “RD1 Forest,” an indoor experiential area where guests can walk through simulated woods. There, they learn about forestry science, wood chemistry, and the unique trees used in RD1’s finishing experiments.
Investor and advisor Mark Stoops said, “Bourbon has an undisputed connection to wood. But RD1’s barrel aging process takes the power of nature to a new level, opening guests’ eyes to the beauty of nature.”
Interactive Guest Experiences and Tasting Opportunities
Upstairs, guests can select bourbon directly from RD1’s barrels or from rotating experimental barrels, which change every few months. This provides frequent visitors new tasting options. Visitors may also book appointments in Gollihue’s lab to analyze and “calibrate” barrel samples. They can then bottle their own mini barrels to continue aging whiskey at home.
For private events, the distillery offers a speakeasy lounge equipped with a big screen. This space is ideal for game days, celebrations, demonstrations, and tastings.
Visiting Information
RD1 Distillery is open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Guests can book tours, tastings, and lab visits. The distillery also features a bourbon bar, speakeasy, gift shop, and a wraparound patio that overlooks The Commons’ future concert hall.
Related Topics
