RD1 10 YEAR CASK STRENGTH AMBURANA CASK FINISH
LIMITED RELEASE KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
Why Buy: This RD1 10 Year Amburana Straight Bourbon is a total triple threat. First, there's the age statement — a full decade of patient maturation (an increasingly rare sight in today's bourbon landscape) Then, there's the massive proof — 117.78 — which gives this an extraordinary degree of muscularity and intensity. Finally, it's crafted by a legacy Kentucky distillery, bringing generations of expertise to bear on every step of a complicated process. The amburana wood finish? That’s the cherry on top, offering an on-trend twist on a classic bourbon profile.
Our Tasting Notes: The nose is striking, not for its bigness and boldness, but for how expressive it is, a delicate spray of spiced apple and honey that speaks to its long-aging and maturity. On the palate, it walks the line between spice and sweetness, the initial burst of allspice and black pepper (hallmarks of its high proof and age) quickly giving way to a warm caramel sweetness that coats the tongue. As it develops, notes of ripe peach and baked fruit emerge, adding layers of nuance. The finish is where this bourbon truly shines, lingering long after the last sip with notes of aged oak and tobacco, leather and apple, and, trailing these, whispers of earth and anise.
The Story: RD1, or Registered Distillery One, isn't just a clever name — it's a nod to bourbon history. This release comes from the first federally registered distillery in Lexington, a place steeped in Kentucky's rich whiskey tradition. The distillery's roots trace back to a time when bourbon was just beginning to define itself as America's native spirit. Over the decades, as bourbon's popularity waxed and waned, this distillery remained a constant, honing its craft and passing down knowledge through generations of master distillers. Today, RD1 stands at the intersection of past and present. Though respecting the time-honored methods that have made Kentucky bourbon world-renowned, they're not afraid, all the same, to push boundaries and find new dimensions of flavor. This 10 Year Amburana finish is a perfect example: taking a beautifully aged bourbon and introducing it to Brazilian Amburana wood, a finish that's still relatively rare in the bourbon world. It's a bold move that pays off handsomely, adding a new dimension to the whiskey without overwhelming its essential character.
The Specs: RD1 starts with a traditional Kentucky mash bill, though the exact percentages remain a closely guarded secret. After distillation, it's aged for a minimum of 10 years in new charred oak barrels, as required for all straight bourbons. But here's where RD1 takes a left turn — after a decade of maturation, the bourbon is introduced to Amburana wood staves. This finishing period is carefully controlled, shorter than their four-year Amburana Bourbon, to ensure the wood complements rather than dominates the aged spirit. The result is bottled at cask strength to preserve every nuance of flavor developed over its long maturation.
Fun Fact: The iconic RD1 bottle is a history lesson in itself. Its design incorporates elements that pay homage to the distillery's past, including the Ashland Distillery tree and Lexington's horse farm fencing etched around the base. Even the concave bottle shape is a nod to historical designs. It's a beautiful marriage of past and present, much like the bourbon inside.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured – your bourbon will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2024 (Dec 21, 2024 - Mar 20, 2025). All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in CT, DE, KS, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, TN, VA, and WA. This offer will expire on Friday, October 25th, 2024.