J Mattingly founder sells business to equity firm
Kentucky-based distillery J Mattingly 1845 will change hands later this year after its founder sold the business to private equity firm Gold Corn & Co.
Jeff Mattingly, a descendant of distilling pioneer John Graves Mattingly, will sell his equity ownership of the J Mattingly 1845 brand to Andrew Varga and Carl Cordova of Gold Corn & Co. The sale is expected to close in 90-120 days.
Cameron Mattingly, Jeff’s son, will remain in his role of vice-president of production overseeing all Bourbon making and blending. All other employees will also remain in their current roles.
J Mattingly 1845 Distillery opened a new site in Kentucky in November 2023 after gaining investment from private equity firm Gold Corn.
“We are honoured and thrilled to be a partner with Jeff Mattingly and his entire team for the past two years. Together, they built on the amazing ideas Jeff conceived in Bourbon production and custom bottling,” Varga said.
“Our Double-Staved Bourbons and unmatched custom bottling experience have been a unique and exciting innovation for the Bourbon industry. We wish Jeff and his wife Melissa nothing but the best as they move into this exciting new chapter in their lives.”
Jeff and Melissa Mattingly started Bourbon 30 in their garage, releasing their first product in 2015. In 2017, Jeff and his team created an ultra-premium Bourbon under the J Mattingly name.
The Mattingly family is connected to several prominent distilling families in Kentucky, with ancestors having a hand in developing at least nine separate distilleries in the state.
“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,” Jeff said.
“Melissa and I have been proud to lead our great team for the last 15 years in building one of the most unique enterprises in Bourbon distilling.
“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.”
Varga has more than four decades of experience in the alcohol industry, previously working at Brown-Forman where he was instrumental in launching brands like Woodford Reserve and Old Forester.
He also joined Heritage Distilling Co last year as a director, strategic consultant and chief revenue officer.
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