RDI Spirits announced the first expansion of its Kentucky Straight Bourbon portfolio in an effort to continue writing the next chapter of Lexington bourbon.

RD1’s 110-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished With Brazilian Amburana Wood and its 99.9-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double Finished In Oak and Maple Barrels join the two RD1 bourbons released in October 2022 (98-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and 101-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With French Oak).

The RD1 brand pays tribute to Lexington’s first federally registered distillery, given the distinction of RD#1 in 1865.

RD1’s Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon portfolio was crafted by 8th-generation Master Distiller Jacob Call, and also aged and bottled in the state. Within its portfolio, the now three wood-finished expressions all have the same base bourbon, which aged more than four years. 

The three expressions then spent up to several months aging with wood staves or wood blocks placed inside the barrel. RD1 finished “to taste” with the goal of delivering a unique and memorable tasting experience.

RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Brazilian Amburana Wood (55% ALC/VOL, 110 Proof, 750 ML)

• About: Amburana, known as “Brazilian Oak”, is often used in South America for making essential oils, crafting luxury furniture, and barrel aging Brazil’s most popular spirit, Cachaça.
• Wood Finishing: RD1’s partner cooperage uses a patented technique to honeycomb drill small holes into the Amburana staves, allowing more wood surface interaction with the bourbon.

RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double Finished In Oak and Maple Barrels (49.95% ALC/VOL, 99.9 Proof, 750 ML)

• Wood Finishing: The French Oak staves (first finish) are steeped in a patented process of pressure, oxygen, time and temperature with maple syrup (second finish). The molecular transfusion into the base fibers of the wood is artistic and intense.

In 2020, RD1 unveiled a limited whiskey release called Old Wm. Tarr to pay tribute to one of the pioneers of Lexington’s first registered distillery. This Manchester Reserve – a blend of 8-year-old rye and 7-year-old bourbon – was released at 96.4 proof and 114 proof (the latter winning Double Platinum in the 2022 ASCOT Awards and Platinum in the 2021 Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards). Limited bottles remain at select stores in Kentucky and at the RD1 Tasting Room on Manchester Street in Lexington. RD1 has aggressive growth plans with a goal to be distributed in ten states by year end. Currently, RD1 is available in Kentucky and Indiana.

For more information, visit RD1spirits.com.