RD1 Spirits Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky, celebrated the grand opening of its new home at The Commons, a 42-acre entertainment district that promises to unite life, work, play, and bourbon. The RD1 Spirits brand is now one of the newest and one of the oldest distilleries on the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail™. The name of the distillery dates back to the mid-1800s when the Ashland Distillery, also known as the William Tarr Distillery, was Lexington’s 7th District Registered Distillery No. 1, thus the name RD1. You can see a historic 1894 map of the original Ashland Distillery below.
RD1 Spirits Leans into Wood Finishing Exploration
RD1 Spirits research and development distillery is designed to engage bourbon lovers and curious travelers with sensory-driven whiskey experiences and wood-finished science experiments. The $5 million newly constructed visitor attraction is expected to welcome up to 30,000 Bourbon Trail guests annually, significantly contributing to Lexington’s economic development and tourism.
RD1 Spirits Triples Size of its Visitor Center
“We’re incredibly proud to open the doors of our beautiful, new home and invite guests into our world of wood-finished bourbon,” said Mike Tetterton, CEO of RD1 Spirits. “As we listened to our fans and their captivating interest around how we test unique woods from throughout the world, we reimagined our original distillery plans to ultimately give guests an experience like no other on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.”
A visually striking, 240-barrel rick—visible from inside and outside the building—frames the venue, while the lobby’s centerpiece, a handcrafted, 10-foot-tall oak tree, ascends into a glowing circular light fixture, giving artistic nods to Lexington’s four-plank horse farm fencing and bourbon’s strong connection to nature.
While RD1 continues to produce its award-winning Kentucky Straight Bourbon at Western Kentucky Distilling in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, the new destination features an R&D distillery for ongoing experimentation. Equipment includes a 50-gallon fermenter, a custom hybrid pot still with column, and an 800-gallon pot still to potentially use in the future for larger test runs. For now, Tetterton says that is a museum piece.
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“Congratulations to RD1 Spirits on today’s grand opening,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “This is more than just a distillery. It’s a prime example of the type of opportunity bourbon tourism can offer communities across the Commonwealth. This is a tremendous addition to Lexington and our state’s bourbon industry, which continues to innovate and grow.”
“The rebirth of the bourbon industry in Lexington continues with RD1 Spirits,” said Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton. “In 1865, the Ashland Distillery became Central Kentucky’s first federally licensed distiller, known as RD #1. Today, RD1 Spirits mixes history with new approaches.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of RD1 at The Commons,” added Mary Quinn Ramer, President of VisitLEX. “This multifaceted stop along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail will give visitors a reason to come back again and again.”
RD1 Spirits Wood Finishing Experiments Lead by Master Distiller Jarrad Gollihue
In August of 2024, RD1 Spirits hired Research & Development Master Distiller, Jarrad Gollihue, PhD. Gollihue, came to the distillery from the University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. For the last decade Gollihue’s studied food science and oak physiology. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on barrel variation impacts from cooperage on whiskey maturation. The jump from the University to RD1 was an easy shift. In his new roll at the distillery, Gollihue is expected to test upwards of 50 unique wood finishes annually.
Now Scheduling Tours, Tastings, and Whiskey Thieving
RD1 Spirits offers à-la-carte tours, tastings, and experiences—which can be bundled for a deeper dive into America’s Native Spirit. Before scheduled experiences begin, guests can enjoy a self-guided tour of the RD1 lobby to learn more about Lexington’s first federally registered distillery, RD1’s own story of innovation, and the brand’s national accolades. Interactive displays share hints into RD1’s bourbon production and wood finishing, and preview some of the cocktails available upstairs at the bar.
One of the most unique stops on the tour is the “RD1 Forest,” an indoor experiential zone where guests walk among the trees while learning about forestry science, wood chemistry, the unique trees in RD1’s portfolio, and current finishing experiments.
“Bourbon’s ties to wood are undeniable,” said Mark Stoops, RD1 investor and advisor, and Lexington community leader. “But, RD1 is taking nature’s force to another level with barrel finishing that leaves guests with eyes wide open to what else is out there.”
Upstairs, adventurous guests can thieve bourbon straight from the RD1 portfolio or experimental barrels—rotating every few months—giving repeat guests new opportunities each time to taste and/or bottle in a custom packaging to take home. Guests can also reserve a lab appointment in our VIP room with Dr. Gollihue to dissect and proof down their barrel sample and fill it into a mini barrel for additional aging at home.
“RD1 didn’t just resurrect a name—they rekindled a passion for innovation, asking, ‘What else can Bourbon do?’” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. “This stunning new distillery at The Commons answers that question. It’s a place where visitors from near and far will discover the complex artistry of Kentucky Straight Bourbon, enhanced by unique wood finishes that push the boundaries of flavor.”
For private groups, the upstairs speakeasy—tucked behind a hidden door showcasing a wall of “first” pioneers—offers a cozy, barrel-backed lounge and large screens perfect for game day, celebrations, or exclusive tastings.
Additional highlights include:
- Two private tasting rooms that can be combined into one, with seating for up to 36
- A bourbon bar with seating for 26
- A wrap-around patio with seating for up to 36, overlooking the future concert venue and greenspace of The Commons
- A gift shop with limited releases—including RD1’s 12-year, Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon, only available for purchase at RD1 Distillery and other unique merchandise
RD1 serves as the anchor tenant of The Commons featuring a mile of walking trails, a 2,000 person entertainment venue, and 30 businesses including the soon to be announced Pickleball Kingdom.
“RD1 embodies the spirit of what we envisioned for The Commons—a destination where history, innovation and community come together,” said Daren Turner, CEO of The Commons. “RD1’s presence has already resulted in tremendous interest from boutique retail, restaurants, and short-term guest stay accommodations. This is Lexington’s hottest development, and Kentucky Bourbon is at the heart of it all.”
“We are so excited for the opening of this new bourbon experience by RD1 Spirits,” said Commerce Lexington President and CEO, Bob Quick. “Bourbon is not only one of our signature economic industries here in Kentucky and Greater Lexington, but it’s also seen a significant impact on tourism across the state through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, attracting nearly three million people last year.”
The vision for RD1 Distillery at The Commons was brought to life through the creative talents of Joia Miller Design, Dimensional Innovations (experiential exhibit design), Poke The Bear (video), Brackish Creative (graphic design), and Nimlok (displays). The project was made possible through collaboration with Turner Construction and numerous local sub-contractors, and legal support from McBrayer PLLC out of central Kentucky.
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, RD1 Spirits exists to explore the bourbon frontier. Lexington entrepreneurs founded the company in 2020 to help give life to the stories of Lexington’s bourbon firsts, namely its first federally registered distillery, established in 1865. RD1 is paving its own path, focusing on Kentucky Straight Bourbon and its interaction with various wood finishings in the barrel.
1894 Map of Ashland Distillery
Lexington, Kentucky, 7th District
Registered Distillery No. 1 (RD1)
Related Stories
– RD1 Spirits Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Distillery Destination that Promises to Unite Life, Work, Play and Bourbon [Renderings] Jan 2024
– Watch as RD1 Spirits Introduces their New Distillery and Brand Home in Lexington, Kentucky [VIDEO] Jan 2024
– RD1 Spirits Announces $4.8 Million Expansion Plans to Build a New Distillery and Visitor Center Experience [Rendering] Dec 2023
Learn more about RD1 Spirits.
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