Lexington-based bourbon producer RD1 Spirits is proud to announce eleven prestigious awards from international and national spirits competitions for its Kentucky Straight Bourbon portfolio.
“RD1 was founded to celebrate the meaningful firsts in our lives, and as a growing craft brand, we are thrilled to have earned such high remarks and our first medals for our Kentucky Straight Bourbon and wood-finished expressions,” said Mike Tetterton, chief executive officer of RD1 Spirits. “We set out to help consumers explore the bourbon frontier with unique woods to finish our Straight Bourbon. We feel like we’ve found gold, and to have these renowned whiskey experts agree fuels our excitement and motivation to introduce RD1 to more states and soon-to-be fans.”
Award Recognition
- RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Finished with French Oak, received the brand’s first double platinum in the 2023 ASCOT Awards, earning unanimous recognition for superior excellence from judges. RD1 also won gold in the 2023 American Distilling Institute’s International Spirits Competition. RD1’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French Oak (50.5% ALC/VOL, 101 proof, 750 ML) is an elegant bourbon with caramel, dark cherries, and sweet oak flavors.
- RD1’s newly released Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Brazilian Amburana Wood, took home platinum in the 2023 ASCOT Awards, and golds in both the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the 2023 Denver International Spirits Competition. RD1’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Brazilian Amburana Wood (55% ALC/VOL, 110 Proof, 750 ML) has flavors of spice cake, and ginger snaps with a long and warm finish.
- Another new release, RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double Finished in Oak and Maple Barrels, earned gold in the 2023 ASCOT Awards and the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double, Finished in Oak and Maple Barrels (49.95% ALC/VOL, 99.9 Proof, 750 ML), is finished first in French Oak staves, which have been steeped in maple syrup (second finish), resulting in a delicate dance of maple and black peppercorn spice with a light accent of toasted caramel at the end.
- RD1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey won gold in the 2023 ASCOT Awards, 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and 2023 Denver International Spirits Competition. It also earned gold for packaging excellence in the 2023 ADI International Spirits Competition. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (49% ALC/VOL, 98 proof, 750 ML) is a traditional Bluegrass bourbon with notes of orange and honeyed caramel that finishes dry with a spicy hint of ginger and cinnamon.
The RD1 brand, which pays tribute to Lexington’s first federally registered distillery, given the distinction of RD#1 in 1865, continues to expand its bourbon distribution beyond its home state of Kentucky. On the heels of its expansion into Indiana, announced in March 2023, RD1 award-winning bourbon is now available in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri.
