The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced that RD1 Spirits in Lexington has become its latest member.

Originally founded in 1865 as the Ashland Distillery by three prominent merchants in Fayette County, the company was the first to obtain a federally registered distillery license in Lexington and was assigned RD #1. In 1871, prominent Bourbon County land speculator William Tarr and partner Thomas Megibben of Harrison County acquired the distillery and restarted whiskey production. But like many others, the distillery closed as a victim of Prohibition in 1933. 

The Ashland Distillery was revived as RD1 Spirits in 2020 in Lexington’s historic Distillery District at 1170 Manchester Street, just down the road from the original distilling location. The company received its Class B distiller’s license in December 2020. 

A temporary location is under renovation with plans to open to the public later this year. It will include a tasting area, full cocktail bar and retail space. RD1 Spirits plans to be under construction with its new facility by the end of first quarter 2022. 

UK Coach Mark Stoops and family are major investors in the brand. 

The inaugural RD1 Spirits releases are from the Tribute Line, paying homage to William Tarr, one of the original owners. These expressions Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve, an eight-year-old Kentucky straight whiskey blended with a 7-year-old Kentucky Bourbon, and Wm Tarr Inheritance, a 12-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey.

“I have never seen a group of people work as hard as the KDA,” RD1 Spirits CEO Mike Tetterton said in a news release. “They get more accomplished with a small staff and are the most socially responsible, hardworking group of people we have ever been associated with. Eric Gregory has put together an amazing team.”

KDA President Eric Gregory said RD1 Spirits will play an important role in preserving Bourbon’s heritage in the Commonwealth and Central Kentucky where the distillery first started. In fact, Gregory said Thomas Megibben was the first Chairman of the KDA’s Board of Directors when the KDA was founded in 1880.

“Mike and his terrific team at RD1 have worked diligently to meticulously revive and celebrate the heritage of this historic company and its founders,” Gregory said. “We commend their efforts in honoring Kentucky’s unrivaled distilling legacy. The proof is here.” 

RD1 is the 47^th member of the trade organization that serves the bourbon and spirits industry in Kentucky.