RD1, known for its wood-finished bourbons, has launched its first blended whiskey: a limited-edition expression finished with wood staves that honors the sister cities of Lexington. Bottled at 51% ABV, this release is priced at $70 and is available nationwide, both online and at the distillery.
The whiskey starts with a 5-year-old high-rye bourbon aged in American Oak barrels. To pay tribute to Lexington’s seaside sister city, Deauville, France, French Oak “necklaces” sourced from Central France are added to the barrels. The blend also includes a 7-year-old bourbon and an 8-year-old rye whiskey, finished with lightly toasted mizunara staves, which honor Lexington’s other sister city, Shinhidaka, located on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido.
While French Oak made its debut in 2022 as a permanent part of the core lineup, this release marks the first time the brand has incorporated mizunara. This prized oak is well-regarded for its ability to complement other woods during the finishing process, imparting subtle notes of incense and sandalwood without overwhelming the final flavor. This is the second release from the label since relocating operations to the newly established tourist destination and distillery at The Commons in Lexington.
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