Blue Run Spirits

The Mattingly name carries nearly two centuries of bourbon heritage in Kentucky, anchored by John Graves Mattingly's perfection of the column still in the 1840s. That innovation became essential infrastructure for major bourbon producers meeting America's growing thirst, and today J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort honors that legacy with both traditional craft and modern innovation.

History & Heritage

John Graves Mattingly (1823-1910) earned his place in bourbon history by perfecting the column still, solving the production bottleneck that limited distillers as demand surged in the 19th century. The distillery bearing his name and the year 1845 operates from Frankfort, Kentucky, where the Mattingly legacy continues through master blenders who treat each barrel as individual craft. The family name has remained synonymous with bourbon innovation across generations.

The Whiskey

J. Mattingly 1845 employs a proprietary "DOUBLE STAving™" method that adds extra staves to fire-charred virgin oak barrels, increasing the distillate's contact with charred wood to extract deeper flavors. The precise number of additional staves remains a trade secret. Beyond standard production, the distillery offers custom bourbon blending experiences where visitors select from curated barrels to create personalized expressions.

Why It Matters

This distillery bridges bourbon's industrial evolution with modern craft sensibilities. Mattingly's column still innovation helped scale American whiskey production, while today's DOUBLE STAving™ process represents continued technical advancement in flavor extraction. The combination of verified historical significance and proprietary production methods earns J. Mattingly 1845 recognition among those who appreciate both bourbon heritage and ongoing innovation.