Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is inspired by the first African-American master distiller on record in the United States, Nathan “Nearest” Green. Known by those in his hometown of Lynchburg, Tenn., as Uncle Nearest he was also the first head stiller, now commonly referred to as master distiller, for Jack Daniel Distillery. He is now recognized by the distillery as having taught a young Jack Daniel how to make Tennessee Whiskey. Green is also thought to have helped perfect the Lincoln County Process, a sugar maple charcoal filtering method required to be considered Tennessee Whiskey, named after the county in which he lived and made whiskey.
Nathan “Nearest” Green’s triumph over his original circumstances was remarkable, and his journey from slavery to one of the wealthiest and best-known African-Americans in the area was as much about his spirit of forgiveness and grace as it was about his legacy of excellence. It is that legacy the Nearest Green Foundation works with his descendants to uphold and share with the world. Currently, ten of Nearest Green’s descendants have full undergraduate and graduate scholarships from NGF at universities across the country, from the University of Tennessee to Texas A&M to Auburn University. Funding is provided by sales of Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey. The Uncle Nearest brand encompasses Uncle Nearest 1856 and Nearest Green 1820 Single Barrel Edition; distilled, aged, bottled and hand-labeled in Tennessee using locally sourced grains.
Uncle Nearest 1856 Aged Whiskey (100 proof)
Visual: Dark copper.
Nose: Rich malt nose with high notes of caramel, vanilla, young leather, cask char and maple sugar.
Taste: Satisfyingly smooth in spite of the potential fire of the higher proof. The balance of distillate, length of aging and type of char is near perfection. A “go to” whiskey if there ever was one.
Finish: Long, with a slightly sweet edge that begs you to have another sip.
Overall: This is a drinking man’s (or woman’s) Tennessee whiskey. Really hits all of the marks in every way. Perfect for upping your cocktail game.
GSN Rating: A
For more information go to: Uncle Nearest
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