Kentucky’s innovative craft distillery J. Mattingly 1845 announced Tuesday that founder Jeff Mattingly will sell his equity ownership to existing investment partners Gold Corn & Co.
The transaction, expected to close within 90 to 120 days, will transfer 100 percent ownership to an investment entity controlled by Andrew Varga and Carl Cordova of Gold Corn & Co., who have partnered with the distillery for the past two years. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.
J. Mattingly 1845 Operations to Continue Under Current Leadership
Cameron Mattingly, Jeff’s son and Vice President of Production, will retain his position overseeing bourbon production, blending, and the company’s signature double-staving process. All existing employees will remain in their current roles, ensuring continuity of operations at the distillery that has become a notable stop along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail.
“It’s been a passion of mine to always look at businesses in unique ways, and this has been no different with the building of the Bourbon 30 and J. Mattingly 1845 brands and distillery,” said Jeff Mattingly, founder emeritus of J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery. “We welcome Gold Corn & Co, Andrew Varga, and Carl Cordova to continue on with the Mattingly brand and continue their philanthropy working with veterans and first responders.”
The company, which started in Jeff and Melissa Mattingly’s garage in 2010 as It’s Bourbon 30, has grown into a distinctive presence in Kentucky’s bourbon industry. The distillery launched its first product, Bourbon 30 Bourbon Whiskey, in 2015, followed by the ultra-premium J. Mattingly line in 2017.
J. Mattingly 1845 Legacy Built on Innovation and Heritage
The Mattingly name carries significant weight in Kentucky distilling history. Jeff Mattingly descends from John Graves Mattingly, whose family contributed to the development of at least nine distilleries across the Commonwealth. The J. Mattingly 1845 brand name honors this heritage, with 1845 representing the year of the original John Graves Mattingly & Sons Distilling operation.
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Under Jeff Mattingly’s leadership, the distillery developed its distinctive double-staving process and created a popular custom bourbon blending and bottling experience that attracts thousands of visitors annually. The company also produces special military bottlings, donating $10 from each sale to various nonprofit military organizations.
Gold Corn & Co. expressed enthusiasm about assuming full ownership while maintaining the distillery’s innovative approach and community engagement. The investment firm praised the unique innovations Jeff Mattingly brought to bourbon production and the custom bottling experience that has distinguished J. Mattingly 1845 in the competitive craft spirits market.
The ownership transition represents the latest evolution for a company that has consistently challenged traditional bourbon-making conventions while honoring its deep Kentucky roots. As Jeff and Melissa Mattingly prepare for their next chapter, the distillery they built from their garage continues its mission of crafting distinctive bourbons and providing unique experiences for bourbon enthusiasts.
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