RD One Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French Oak
RD One Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French Oak is a Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV) in a 750mL bottle, finished with French oak staves added to the barrel after 4+ years of primary aging. Elegant and layered, it delivers caramel, dark cherries, and sweet oak — a 98-point, Triple Gold winner at the 2023 MLSA. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Finish: French oak staves finished in-barrel
- Base: RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon, aged 4+ years (70% corn / 21% rye / 9% barley)
- Origin: Lexington, Kentucky — 100% distilled, aged, and bottled in the Bluegrass state
French Oak Meets Kentucky Bourbon
RD1's signature finishing technique is disarmingly simple: after at least four years in new American oak, the bung is pulled, French oak staves go into the original barrel, the bung is hammered back, and the bourbon rests further. French oak's tighter grain and different tannin profile push the bourbon toward dark cherry and smoke rather than vanilla sweetness — an elegant counterpoint to the maple and Amburana finishes in the same flight. The expression has collected 98 points and Triple Gold at the 2023 MLSA, Double Gold at the John Barleycorn Awards, and Gold at the 2023 SIP Awards and New York International Spirits Competition. Browse the RD One collection and explore more bourbon whiskey at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
An elegant bourbon with flavors of caramel, dark cherries, and sweet oak, layered over the flagship bourbon's classic Kentucky profile. The French oak adds structure and a whisper of smoke without sacrificing balance.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a rocks glass to catch the dark-cherry depth, or with a single cube for a longer, more contemplative pour. The 101-proof frame holds up beautifully in a Manhattan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is RD1 French Oak finished?
After 4+ years in new American oak, RD1 adds French oak staves to the original barrel and rests the bourbon further — no new barrel, no re-racking, just staves in the original cask.
What proof is RD1 French Oak?
101 proof (50.5% ABV).
Has RD1 French Oak won awards?
Yes — 98 points and Triple Gold at the 2023 MLSA, Double Gold at the John Barleycorn Awards, Gold at the 2023 SIP Awards and New York International Spirits Competition, and 91 points at the 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
Secure RD One French Oak Finish Bourbon at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — 101 proof of French-oak elegance, ready to order online.