RD1 Spirits in Lexington, Kentucky has announced plans to build a new location in Fayette County. RD1 Spirits is developing a destination to honor the past and future of Lexington’s connection to the bourbon industry. The project will have tours, personalized blending experiences, tasting rooms, a cocktail bar, a gift shop and an event space.
The complex will be located within The Commons, a 40-acre mixed-use development that will attract visitors traveling along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. RD1 Spirits visitor experience will cover 8,500 square feet over two floors as it aims to be a world-class bourbon destination in the heart of Lexington.
“Expanding RD1’s brand destination in our hometown of Lexington is a testament to the vision and determination of our team, and consumers’ warm reception of our award-winning bourbon portfolio,” said RD1 Spirits Chief Executive Officer Mike Tetterton.
“RD1’s distillery at The Commons will further anchor us as a sought-after experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail while fueling national awareness of our brand. We appreciate the state’s support of our entrepreneurial efforts to help grow Fayette County and the Kentucky bourbon industry.”
The new facility will be spread out across two floors. Distilling operations will take place on the first floor while blending and a visitor experience will take place on the second floor.
“We’ll have an 800-gallon hybrid pot still that will be used mainly for RD1 Spirits R&D and to experiment with how wood is such a major influencer on the taste of bourbon,” said Co-Founder and National Brand Representative Barry Bringer. “We’ll start out producing about a barrel a week with the capacity to produce a barrel a day. And we’ll continue make our own mashbill with our partners at Western Kentucky Distilling Co. Whatever we do in our research distillery in Lexington could be produced at Western Kentucky Distilling.”
Brinegar added, “RD1 Spirits has a tie in to the Western Kentucky Distilling Company as some of the shareholders of RD1 Spirits have a 49% ownership interest in the recently opened distillery in Beaver Dam, Kentucky.”
“This exciting new investment will provide a great bourbon experience for visitors to the Fayette County area. As we continue to see growth in Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry, projects like this are also adding momentum to our tourism efforts,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “I want to congratulate RD1 Spirits’ leadership and look forward to the positive impact the project will have on the tourism industry and the local community.”
RD1 Spirits Receives Incentives Totaling More Than $500k
Upon recommendation by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, RD1 Spirits received approval on Dec. 20 from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority for incentives totaling $521,000 for the project. Through the Tourism Development Act, qualifying tourism development projects can recover up to 25% of approved development costs through the recovery of sales tax generated by the development.
“Bourbon tourism is a major draw for visitors to Kentucky, and this project will be a tremendous addition to the distillery community,” said Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Lindy Casebier. Kentuckians love their bourbon and will undoubtedly flock to this newest attraction in Lexington.”
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“We’re delighted with RD1’s plans to establish a world-class bourbon destination on the Bourbon Trail in Lexington,” Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said. “Lexington has a deep connection to the bourbon industry that dates back to the 19th Century. In recent years, that connection has been reborn in our city through the restoration of the Distillery District, a project I championed, and the establishment of several new distilleries. The Bourbon Trail brings thousands of visitors to our city. This new facility will be an additional attraction.”
Commerce Lexington Inc. President and CEO Bob Quick said, “We are excited that RD1 Spirits LLC is investing in Fayette County and creating jobs right here in Greater Lexington. Tourism has a significant impact on our region and state, and this project will add yet another top-notch experience to attract visitors to the area, while enhancing the popular Kentucky Bourbon Trail and our signature bourbon industry.”
The state’s bourbon and spirits industry also recorded its best year for growth in 2022, with over $2.1 billion in new investments and approximately 700 new jobs for Kentucky residents. Since the start of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced 96 new-location and expansion projects within the bourbon and spirits sector, contributing to over $3.6 billion in new investments and more than 1,650 full-time jobs for Kentuckians.
RD1 Spirits New Location to Open July 2024
Once the new building is complete operations will move from their current location in Lexington’s Distillery District over to The Commons. The new location is expected open in July 2024 and will create 11 new jobs when fully operation.
RD1 Spirits’ tourism investment builds on recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, including within the tourism and bourbon industries.
RD1 Spirits offers a Kentucky Straight Bourbon and three different wood finishes including French Oak staves, Double Finished with oak and maple staves, and a Brazilian Amburana stave finish.
RD1 Spirits is available across 15 states: Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Learn more about RD1 Spirits.
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Learn more about Western Kentucky Distilling Co.
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