FRANKFORT, KY (May 16, 2024) – J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery, created by Jeff Mattingly, a descendant of distilling pioneer John Graves Mattingly, will honor military veterans Memorial Day weekend with a commemorative bourbon bottling in remembrance of Mogadishu Mile. The Battle of Mogadishu took place during Operation Restore Hope and was one of the bloodiest battles American Soldiers had seen since Vietnam.  Eighteen U.S. soldiers died during the battle, and two days later a 19^th soldier was killed in a mortar attack.

In remembrance of this sacrifice, J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery is releasing its Mogadishu Mile Bourbon, a commemorative edition bottling comprised of 19 barrels blended together to create a limited edition available online and in-store on Memorial Day weekend.  Only 500 bottles are available for purchase.  A portion of the sale of each bottle will go towards Kentucky Wounded Heroes, a nonprofit organization serving Kentucky’s current or former members of the United States Armed Forces and first responders who have been injured during combat operations or line-of-duty service.  This is the fourth year J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery has partnered with Kentucky Wounded Heroes on a Mogadishu Mile Bourbon bottle.

The bottles will go on sale on Saturday, May 25^th online and at a Memorial Day event at J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort, Ky. to recognize our country’s military who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  The event will include a food truck, local beer, cocktails for purchase and local vendors from veteran-owned businesses.  Limited edition commemorative glassware etched with the word “Veteran” and the American flag will be complimentary with the purchase of a cocktail.    

The significance of the 19 war heroes who lost their lives as a result of the battle and the 19 barrels selected for this bottling is not lost on the blending team at J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery.  “Early on in the tasting phase of the barrels, it was noticed by a member of Kentucky Wounded Heroes that 19 barrels had been pulled for consideration to make this blend,” said Harry Richart, president and chief operating officer.  “Normally we would cull down the number of barrels used in a blend into a smaller number, but we felt it was meant to be that 19 barrels had been selected initially, so our blending team created this year’s blend using parts of all 19 barrels and we’re ecstatic with the result.”

The Mogadishu Mile Bourbon is a 6.5-year-aged bourbon bottled at 115 proof.  Its orange-amber color lends itself to a nose of sweet and gently smokey oak with chocolate, citrus and baking spices.  On the palate, one will find a soft, yet oily texture which has a nice slightly dry oak mid palate, leading to a smooth finish.  There are lots of citrus notes with mild baking spices and a lingering taste of chocolate and oak.  Pricing starts at $120 for a 750 mL bottle with $20 from each bottle sale going to Kentucky Wounded Warriors.

Details for the Memorial Day Event are as follows:

Who:               J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

What:              Memorial Day Event

When:             Saturday, May 25, 2024

                       8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where:            J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery, located at 20 Reilly Road, Frankfort, KY

Why:             To honor our military veterans.  Food truck, local beer, local vendors from veteran-owned businesses and cocktails for purchase.  Complimentary commemorative glassware honoring veterans with purchase of cocktail.   J. Mattingly’s Mogadishu Mile Bourbon will go on sale upon opening at $120 in-store for 750 mL.  Admission to the event is complimentary.

About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery
The Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth, and with connections to some of the most illustrious names in the distilling industry, including George Garvin Brown, the Willetts and the Samuels.

It all started in 1845, with John Graves Mattingly’s first distillery in Marion County, Kentucky, Registered Distillery #2.  Many historians today believe his distillery was the first registered distillery in Kentucky.

In 2010 Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business.  Today, Jeff’s son Cameron has joined the team as Vice President of Production, continuing the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Together father and son offer their proprietary double staving process as well as a custom bourbon blending experience unparalleled in the spirits industry, available on-site in Frankfort or online at https://jmattingly1845.com/build-a-bottle/

For more information about J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery visit www.JMattingly1845.com.