Looking for a new bourbon? Here's a 3-bottle flight you should try this month

Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read

Kentucky’s distilleries are constantly launching new products, and this month is no different. RD1 Spirits is launching a unique wood-finished bourbon flight experience, while Bardstown Bourbon Co. was awarded six gold and double gold honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Here's what is happening and new on Kentucky's bourbon scene this month:

Spirits Launches unique wood-finished bourbon flight experience

RD1 Spirits launches a Wood-Finished Bourbon Flight Tasting Experience.
RD1 Spirits launches a Wood-Finished Bourbon Flight Tasting Experience.

RD1, the award-winning Lexington-based craft bourbon brand known for exploring the interaction of Kentucky Straight Bourbon with unique woods from across the world, has launched a one-of-a-kind wood-finished bourbon flight for consumers to enjoy in their homes.

The flight includes 200-ml glass bottles of RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With French Oak (101 proof), RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished With Brazilian Amburana Wood (110 proof), and RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Double Finished In Oak And Maple Barrels (99.9 proof). These bottles are exact replicas of the RD1 750-ml bottles, featuring RD1’s iconic, four-plank horse farm fencing etched around the base of the bottle, and the colorful labels that distinguish the wood finishes.

“Our new wood-finished bourbon flight is as close as you can get to the RD1 Tasting Room without being in Lexington,” said Mike Tetterton, chief executive officer of RD1 Spirits. “Exploring the distinct aroma, taste and finish of each expression makes for a thoughtful bourbon gift or an eye-opening tasting at home. It’s classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon meets ‘what’s next.’”

The bourbon flight is currently available for purchase at RD1’s Tasting Room on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, at select retailers across the country, and online at RD1spirits.com for $79.99.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. wins big at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Bardstown Bourbon Co. family of brands was awarded multiple Gold and Double Gold honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Bardstown Bourbon Co. family of brands was awarded multiple Gold and Double Gold honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. family of brands was awarded ix gold and double gold honors at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The event is the largest spirits competition in the world and boasts an international panel of spirits experts who gave six Bardstown Bourbon Co. whiskies a score above 90 points. Each series in the portfolio Origin Series, Discovery Series, and Collaborative Series, took home a Gold or Double Gold. Here are the five of the six award-winning releases, the details about the sixth winner will be announced at a later date.

  • Origin Series Rye: Double Gold - 97/100

  • Discovery Series #11: Double Gold - 96/100

  • Origin Series Bourbon: Gold - 93/100

  • Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond: Gold - 91/100

  • Collaborative Series Goose Island: Gold - 90/100

Reach features clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: RD1 Spirits and Bardstown Bourbon Company new releases and awards