LEXINGTON, Ky. – RD1 Spirits has announced a partnership with Blue Ridge Spirits and Wine Marketing for its sales efforts moving forward. RD1 is known for its award-winning portfolio of Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished with unique woods from around the world. Blue Ridge is known for its sales and marketing depth across the country, representing growing brands in the industry.
"RD1 experienced tremendous growth in 2024 from brand awareness and influencer engagement to case sales and product expansion,” said Mike Tetterton, chief executive officer of RD1 Spirits. “Our brand has become synonymous with distinct wood-finished bourbon, and we are adding a coast-to-coast sales presence to handle our national footprint.”
An entrepreneur like Tetterton, CEO Carlos Carreras founded Blue Ridge in 2015 with just three spirit brands. Today, the company has a diverse portfolio of dynamic high-growth, wine and spirits brands.
“We are confident in the Blue Ridge team to represent our sales efforts, and we look forward to working closely together as we continue to build one of the fastest-growing, Kentucky bourbon brands,” Tetterton added.
"We are excited to collaborate with RD1, a brand known for its creativity and innovation," Carreras said. "RD1 produces exceptional whiskies, and we look forward to working closely with them to build on their impressive success."
Brand Credibility
In 2024, the RD1 portfolio – which grew by 74 percent in case sales year over year – made headlines earning 65 bourbon awards. Highlights include:
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With French Oak, 101 proof
- Best in Class in Finished Bourbon category in the 2024 Whiskies of the World Awards
- Double Gold in 2024 America’s Best Awards
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amburana Wood, 110 proof
- 1st Place in Cask Finished category in the 2024 International Whiskey Competition
- Double Gold and Top 6 Finalist for American Whiskey of the Year in the 2024 New Orleans Spirits Competition
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Double Finished In Oak and Maple Barrels, 99.9 proof
- Platinum in the 2024 Ascot Awards by Fred Minnick
- 10-year Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amburana Wood, 117.78 proof
- 96 points from The Tasting Panel
Distribution Growth
RD1 continues to expand its distribution footprint across the country, and its bourbon is not available in 26 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Deeper Roots
This coming year will represent a milestone for the RD1 brand with the debut of its expanded brand destination, currently under construction outside downtown Lexington, Ky. Expected to open in spring 2025, RD1 Distillery at The Commons is the anchor tenant of Lexington’s new entertainment district – uniting life, work and play – and will more than double the size of RD1’s existing Tasting Room and Gift Shop.
The $5-million distillery represents RD1’s presence on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and the brand’s support of Lexington tourism and the Kentucky bourbon industry. It also serves as the cornerstone for RD1’s continued wood exploration led by Jarrad Gollihue, PhD, and RD1’s Research and Development Master Distiller.
The brand plans to unveil two, new, wood-finished bourbons nationally in 2025 with additional experimental expressions available to taste at the new distillery, giving visitors an up-close experience of RD1’s entrepreneurial “spirit to dare” mantra.
The RD1 and Blue Ridge partnership is now effective. For RD1 and distributor questions, please contact Marc Lohnes with RD1 at MarcL@RD1spirits.com. For Blue Ridge questions, please contact Leah Keggi at Leah@BlueRidgeSpirits.com.
About RD1 Spirits
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. For more information on this growing brand, visit RD1spirits.com or follow @RD1spirits on Facebook and Instagram.
About Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing
Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing is a sales and marketing company, representing a diverse group of premium wines and spirits from around the world. Its portfolio is comprised of brands both created and developed by Blue Ridge, as well as partner brands selected for their growth potential. For more information, visit blueridgespirits.com.For More Information:
Learn More
Stay Informed, Stay Competitive
Unlock the articles, expert interviews, and data reports that power the food and beverage industry. Join our community and stay ahead with exclusive insights from BevNET and Nosh.