Campari Group is moving deeper into American whiskey, announcing it will acquire Lexington, Kentucky based RD1 Spirits, the craft bourbon producer tied to one of the state’s original registered distilleries. According to coverage in The Spirits Business and Market Watch (Shanken), the deal includes RD1’s brands and inventory, with the company set to join Campari’s expanding US whiskey portfolio alongside Wild Turkey and Wilderness Trail. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the transaction continues Campari’s steady cadence of targeted American whiskey buys. This is a clean strategic play. RD1 gives Campari a story-rich craft bourbon platform in Lexington, right in the heart of bourbon tourism, and adds another lever for the group’s premium whiskey ambitions in the US. For bar operators, the signal is clear: the multinationals are still buying distinctive, regional whiskey assets, not pausing the category. Expect brand support, visitor experience investment, and a push to get RD1 on cocktail lists as a house bourbon with provenance. What to watch next is how Campari positions RD1 relative to Wild Turkey and Wilderness Trail, and whether this unlocks more single barrel or limited releases aimed at high-touch cocktail bars and specialist retailers. Portfolio architecture is the story here, and RD1 is another building block.
Sources: - The Spirits Business: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com - Market Watch / Shanken News Daily: https://www.marketwatchmag.com
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