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RD1 Spirits Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky, celebrated its grand opening in Lexington, Kentucky with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The new 10,215-square-foot space, part of a new entertainment district, delivers an immersive visitor experience, including a VIP bourbon blending room, an R&D distillery and wood-finishing lab, a thieving room, a bourbon bar and a speakeasy.
Watch the video to hear highlights from the ceremony featuring Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, University of Kentucky Football Coach and Investor Mark Stoops, VisitLEX.com Tourism President Mary Quinn Ramer, Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory, RD1 Spirits CEO Mike Tetterton and CEO The Commons Daren Turner.
Here are a few highlights from the festivities.
RD1 Spirits Distillery to Welcome 30,000 Visitors Per Year
“Thank you for having me on this historic day for RD1 Distillery and for bourbon lovers across the Commonwealth,” said Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman. “Where else in the world can you have a bourbon announcement at 10am but in Kentucky? The impact the bourbon industry has on Kentucky cannot be overstated. We are talking a $9 billion economic impact on the state. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail™ saw an extraordinary 2.7 million guests in 2024 at our nearly 120 distilleries all across Kentucky. And RD1 is set to expand upon that by welcoming another 30,000 guests right here to this facility.”
UK Coach Stoops Asks Kentucky Lt. Gov. to Wear Blue
“I truly appreciate everybody being here. And Lt. Gov. I know how busy you are and greatly appreciate everything you do. But, we definitely need to get you some form of blue,” commented University of Kentucky Football Coach Mark Stoops. “That’s a really nice coat but the bright red isn’t so nice, (laughs…) no, I appreciate it. I would just like to say Thank You to our team and Mike Tetterton and the people RD1. I just greatly appreciate the work that they’ve done. I’ve been a silent partner and an investor. One thing I learned early on is to tie up and being connected to good people. And certainly Mike Tetterton and the team at RD1 has been remarkable. I’m proud just to be a small part of it.”
Welcome to Bourbon Land – Lexington, Kentucky
“In 1865, Ashland Distillery became the first federally registered distillery, right here in our hometown of Lexington,” said VisitLEX.com Tourism President Mary Quinn Ramer. “And was assigned the distinction of RD1 a distinct honor and for those of you who are in the industry, bragging rights for any distillery, in the Commonwealth. Today, we are honoring that history and heritage, but we’re also writing the next chapter in Lexington’s bourbon story with the opening of this signature landmark.
“At VisitLex, we recognize the tremendous role bourbon has played and continues to play in our city, which is why we at the office, often refer to this place called Bourbon Land, it’s kind of like Candyland except for bourbon.
“Bourbon Land represents a mix of our culture and our creativity and our innovation and RD1 is the perfect combination of all three important and distinctive traits. RD1 explores what happens to Kentucky straight bourbon, when unique wood staves that are sourced from all across the world, are added to the original barrel to finish aging the whiskey. Guests to this wonderful new destination will be taken on a sensory journey with RD1s unique wood finished expressions.”
Get the full story here – RD1 Spirits Distillery Celebrates Grand Opening of Beautiful New Visitor Center and Barrel Thieving Experience.
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– 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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