J Mattingly celebrates Kentucky Derby

Frankfort-based J Mattingly 1845 distillery has released three limited edition whiskeys to celebrate the Kentucky Derby.

The collection, The Greatest Two Ounces in Bourbon, is named after ‘the greatest two minutes in sports’ – the champion horse race at the Derby.

It includes three bottlings: a small batch Bourbon, a light corn whiskey and a small batch rye whiskey.

J Mattingly Small Batch Bourbon is aged for six years, bottled at 58.5% ABV and offers notes of ‘sweet smoke, bacon, brown sugar and pancakes’.

The nine-year-old Light Whiskey is bottled at a slightly higher proof of 62.5% ABV and has flavours of ‘smoky candy, fruit, butterscotch and baking spices’ on the palate.

The Small Batch Rye is bottled at 58% ABV and was matured for four-and-a-half to six-and-a-half years, offering notes of ‘sweet maple, citrus, herbs, and a whiff of smoke’.

All three limited editions are available in 750ml bottles on the official online shop and at the distillery for US$120  each.

In celebration of the event, J Mattingly is also hosting a free-entry festival at the distillery on May 3-4, during which visitors are offered three tasting flights ranging from US$20 to US$175.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating Kentucky’s famous horse races on Friday and Saturday with our three new whiskey releases and a festival at our new location in Frankfort,” said Harry Richart, president and chief operating officer of J Mattingly 1845 Distillery. “We’ll have snacks, games, outdoor seating and the races televised so you can hang out here and root for your favourite horse.”

J Mattingly 1845 distillery was founded in 2010 by Jeff Mattingly, whose family has produced whisky since 1845.

In October 2023, the company opened its new distillery in Frankfort after securing an investment from private equity firm Gold Corn.