Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
| Founded | July 2017 |
| Headquarters | Shelbyville , United States |
Area served | United States, international markets |
Key people | Victoria Eady Butler (Master Blender) |
| Products | Tennessee whiskey |
| Parent | Uncle Nearest, Inc. |
| Website | www |
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is a Tennessee whiskey label produced by Uncle Nearest, Inc., which is based in Shelbyville, Tennessee, United States. This brand pays tribute to Nathan "Nearest" Green, an African-American former slave credited with instructing Jack Daniel in the art of distillation.
By 2023, Uncle Nearest's portfolio included eight distinct whiskey expressions. The IWSR identifies it as the fastest expanding whiskey brand within the United States and the leading Black-owned distillery worldwide.
In 2021, People magazine recognized the brand among its 100 Reasons to Love America, while Inc. listed it consistently from 2019 through 2022 as one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S.
History
The Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey label was introduced by Uncle Nearest, Inc. in July 2017. Its initial product launch was the Nathan Green 1870 Single Barrel in October 2018, marking the first spirit named after an African-American individual. By September 2019, distribution extended across all 50 states and twelve international markets, with sales reaching $100 million by October 2022.
Victoria Eady Butler, a descendant of Nathan Green, was appointed master blender in 2019, becoming the first documented African-American woman to hold this title in whiskey production. She earned Master Blender of the Year accolades from Whisky Magazine, VinePair, and The Spirits Business in 2021 and made history by winning consecutive awards again in 2022.
In June 2020, the Nearest Green Foundation—co-founded by Fawn and Keith Weaver—collaborated with Jack Daniel Distillery to create the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative. Both parties invested $2.5 million each to establish the Nearest Green School of Distilling at Motlow State Community College. This program offers apprenticeships and business incubation aimed at supporting African-Americans entering the spirits sector.
On June 1, 2021, Uncle Nearest unveiled a $50 million Venture Fund dedicated to investing in minority-led spirits enterprises. Subsequently, in January 2023, it launched the Uncle Nearest HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge with a goal of raising $1 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
In October 2023, Uncle Nearest expanded into the Cognac market through acquiring Domaine Saint Martin—a sprawling 100-acre vineyard estate located in France’s Grande Champagne region.
Nathan "Nearest" Green holds recognition as the first African-American master distiller in American history. After teaching Jack Daniel how to craft Tennessee whiskey, he became head stiller at Jack Daniel Distillery following the Civil War and contributed to refining the Lincoln County Process integral to Tennessee whiskey production.
Rezoning approval for a whiskey-focused enterprise at Sand Creek Farms in Shelbyville was granted by Bedford County in 2017. The initial phase of the Nearest Green Distillery opened its doors on September 14, 2019, featuring a Welcome House, bottling operations, farm activities, and a bar. This establishment was notable as the first U.S. distillery named after an African-American.
Following a temporary closure due to COVID-19, operations resumed on Juneteenth 2021 with expanded amenities including a single-barrel rickhouse, an upgraded Welcome Center and tasting room, a restaurant, a non-alcoholic speakeasy, and a Master Blender House. That same month saw acquisition of an additional 53 acres for future development and plans to cultivate organic corn across 100 acres.
On March 23, 2023, Humble Baron opened as a new entertainment venue with seating for 202 guests featuring a Guinness World Record-holding horseshoe bar measuring 518 feet and designed by Death & Co. The project’s second phase will culminate with the launch of the Still House. In May 2023, Uncle Nearest further expanded its holdings by purchasing another 109 acres near Shelbyville.
In 2025, Farm Credit Mid-America filed a lawsuit seeking $108 million against Uncle Nearest for alleged breaches of loan agreements. The suit claims improper use of funds including buying a Martha’s Vineyard property for $2 million and selling futures contracts at discounted rates. This legal action was initiated on July 28, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Whiskeys
The recipe for Uncle Nearest Tennessee whiskey traces back to Lincoln County, Tennessee, in the late 19th century. Weaver notes that it survived a fire in Lynchburg and is currently safeguarded at Farmers Bank, an institution founded by Jack Daniel in 1888. A distinctive feature of this recipe is the use of corn malt, a traditional component often missing from many contemporary Tennessee whiskeys.
At its inception, the brand introduced two expressions: a silver whiskey and an aged variant, both crafted from grains sourced within the region and bottled in Tennessee. The silver whiskey is produced through an 11-stage method spanning 25 days and incorporates a triple charcoal mellowing process unique to this label. In July 2018, the company launched a single-barrel whiskey.
The initial trio of releases honors significant milestones in Nearest’s life: his birth in 1820, the refinement of the Lincoln County Process in 1856, and his retirement in 1884.
By 2023, Uncle Nearest had broadened its lineup to include five more expressions, such as the 1870 Single Barrel (UK), Master Blend Edition, and three rye whiskeys: Straight Rye Whisky, Uncut/Unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey, and Single Barrel Rye.
Awards and ratings
| Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey | New York World Wine & Spirits Competition | 2021 Best in Class - Best Tennessee Whiskey
2023 Double Gold |
| 2022 Chinese Wine & Spirit Competition | CWSA Whiskey of the Year | |
| 2023 L.A. Spirits Awards | Best Tennessee Whiskey | |
| 2024 World Whiskey Awards | Best Tennessee Whiskey | |
| Uncle Nearest 1820 Nearest Green Single Barrel Edition | San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Double Gold - 2020, 2021, 2022 |
| 2023 International Whisky Competition | Best Tennessee Whiskey | |
| Uncle Nearest 1884 Premium Small Batch Whiskey | Ascot Awards | Best American Whiskey - 2021, 2023 |
| American Whiskey Masters | Gold Medal - 2022, 2023 | |
| 2023 Chinese Wine & Spirits Awards | CWSA Whiskey of the Year | |
| Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition | 2022 International Whisky Competition | 1st Place, Tennessee Whiskey |
| 2022 Great American International Spirits Competition | Best in Show, Bourbon | |
| 2023 TAG Global Spirits Awards | Best in Show, Tennessee Whiskey | |
| Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye Whiskey | 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Double Gold |
| 2023 International Whisky Competition | Best Rye Whiskey | |
| Uncle Nearest Uncut & Unfiltered Rye Whiskey | 2023 Whiskies of the World Awards | Gold |
| Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey | 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Gold |
External links
- Video: The lost story of the slave who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey (2017) from CBS This Morning on YouTube.com