Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Uncle Nearest. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
The lack of diversity or recognition of the contributions of people of color in the whiskey industry is subpar. While it is changing, it took more than 150 years to fully shed light on the story of Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved man who is credited with teaching Jack Daniels everything about distilling. When Fawn Weaver discovered his story, she became a historian and gave power to the legacy of Nearest Green.
Since the unearthing of Green’s life history as a slave and distiller, Weaver established the Uncle Nearest brand of Tennessee whiskey in 2017 and opened the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville in 2019. Despite being a new brand, Uncle Nearest is making staggering headway. Uncle Nearest has four core whiskies—the 1820 Single Barrel, the 1856 Premium Aged, the 1884 Small Batch, and the Master Blend Edition.
The 1884 Small Batch Whiskey from Uncle Nearest is made of hand-selected barrels by Weaver and Nearest Green’s fifth-generation descendant, Victoria Eady Butler. The whiskey follows the Lincoln County Process of filtering through maple charcoal and comes in at 93 proof, just below the 1856 Premium Aged.
Each label of Uncle Nearest Whiskey commemorates a year in Green’s legacy. 1884 is the final year Green put his own whiskey into barrels before he retired. The legacy continues with Weaver, Butler, and Brown-Forman working to increase diversity in the whiskey industry. By buying a bottle of Uncle Nearest, you are helping the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative and the Business Incubation Program support African-Americans and people of color for roles in leadership.
Tasting Notes: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Vital Stats: 46.5% ABV. 93 proof. A Tennessee whiskey aged a minimum of five years. 750ml $45.
Color: Copper
Nose: I had to let the dram breathe to air out the lemon scented nail polish remover that first bombarded my nose. Dried oak and Cinnamon Toast Crunch overlay baked pear.
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Palate: At the beginning, dried oak and tobacco mingle with lemon oil and zest. Nutmeg and lots of cinnamon bring warmth with the ABV. The whiskey is sweet like Frosted Flakes. The finish is almost seemingly sooty, however it keeps its velvety mouthfeel throughout.
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