Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Lydia Martin
How could an unknown enslaved person’s legacy pave the way for one brand to become an award-winning spirit today? For Uncle Nearest Whiskey, it started with a photo on a renowned magazine cover.
Now that you are as curious as us, here’s everything you need to know about Uncle Nearest Whiskey-price, production process, and legacy.
Uncle Nearest Whiskey Overview
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey commemorates the world’s unacknowledged, great whiskey-maker and first African-American master distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green.
Sounds familiar? Nathan Green is the man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey and is now famous for his Tennessee Whiskey.
It all started with Fawn Weaver, a historian, best-selling author, and entrepreneur who first saw a descendant of Nearest Green on a magazine cover of New York Times International Edition [1].
Eager to know more about the black man beside Jack Daniel and their interconnected history, she ended up buying a 300-acre farm and started the Uncle Nearest whiskey.
Fun Facts
How It’s Made
Each of the three expressions of Uncle Nearest has been sourced for Tennesse distilleries since the brand started last 2017.
But in 2022, Uncle Nearest will shift from sourced whiskey to its own barrels.
After the barrels have matured, Uncle Nearest whiskey will be distilled and bottled.
The spirit undergoes the Lincoln County Process, which uses the sugar maple charcoal filtration method to make Tennessee whiskey.
Main Ingredients
Corn and rye are the main ingredients in creating the premium aged whiskies of Uncle Nearest.
The mash bill is composed of 90% corn, rye, and some malted corn, and it is filtered through sugar maple charcoal for sweetness and spice reminiscent.
Because of the main ingredients, the whiskey has mild notes of dried grass, baled hay and pumpkin seeds and hints of sweetness and vanilla.
Read: Uncle Nearest 1884 vs 1856 Whiskey
How It Tastes
Uncle Nearest’s master blender surely knows how to blend premium aged whiskies because the proof contains spicy caramel, spicy upfront, hints of sweet maple syrup, caramel corn, and mellows of floral notes, spice dissipates, and dried fruit.
It has sweetness and spice reminiscent of a freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookie; the baking spices lingers pleasantly sweet and have a long and rich finish.
The light caramel, beautiful deep golden hue has subtle notes of a bale of hay, ripe stone, fruit notes of apricot and ripe peach, vanilla, and sweet caramel corn.
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Why Nearest Green Made History
Uncle Nearest set the bar high by being an award-winning American whiskey for three years from 2019 to 2021.
The Uncle Nearest brand is one of the fastest-growing whiskeys in US history and a best-selling African-American Founded Spirit.
Uncle Nearest received nearly 370 awards from prominent award-giving bodies within four years.
Some of its awards are WWA’s “World’s Best” for two years, Cigar and Spirits Magazine’s “Top 5 Whiskies in the World”, Double Gold medals from San Francisco WSC, and many more.
Does Jack Daniels Make Uncle Nearest?
No, Jack Daniel’s do not make Uncle Nearest. Uncle Nearest is owned by Weaver, who was drawn to the story of Jack Daniel’s hidden ingredient: Help from a Slave.
Nathan Green mentored Jack Daniel in making the whiskey.
While the brand incorporated Nearest’s contribution to the whiskey history, Weaver went a big step further, naming the Uncle Nearest brand after him.
Uncle Nearest’s role and contribution to Jack Daniel was uncovered and paved the way to it being one of the best and most popular whiskey worldwide.
Where To Buy It
Uncle Nearest is available in different locations in the United States and the United Kingdom. 49 States in the US are the official distributor of premium whiskey, and there are three stores in the UK where you can score a bottle.
On the other hand, Master Blend Whiskey is only available at the Nearest Green Distillery.
Feel free to drop by any location or order online at their website, and they will ship it to your location.
Common Uncle Nearest Whiskey Prices
| Type | Size | Alcohol By Volume | Average Price |
| 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey | 750 mL | 50% | $59-$75 |
| Master Blend Whiskey | 750 mL | 59.2% | $150-$155 |
| 1884 Small Batch Whiskey | 750 mL | 46.5% | $59-$75 |
| 1820 Premium Whiskey | 750 mL | 60.6% | $41-$45 |
Compared to Other Whiskeys
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace has a good and remarkable solid bourbon taste with a surprisingly nice fragrance because of its rye-forward scents. It can be a bit dry but has enough character, depth, and intensity and is somehow an enjoyable drink.
This golden bourbon has notes of ripe fruits, vanilla, and dried fruit like Uncle Nearest. However, it is cheaper because you can score a 750 ml bottle of Buffalo Trace Straight Bourbon Whiskey for roughly $35.
Jack Daniel’s
Nearest and Jack Daniel have an interconnected history, so it is no surprise that both whiskies belong on the top shelf. Its light caramel appearance is similar to Nearest, but a bottle of JD is much cheaper at approximately $25.
Jim Beam
Jim Beam is another bourbon whiskey that holds the title of being one of the best-selling bourbons. Since 1795 there have been seven generations of Master Blender that continuously produce quality and premium whiskey. A 1.75 L of Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Jim Beam is way cheaper than Uncle Nearest and JD and costs around $22.
Fireball Cinnamon
Fireball Cinnamon is a Canadian Whisky matured in ex-American bourbon barrels. It resembles the candy “Atomic Fireball,” and the caramel color whiskey is very sweet with a strong finish of spicy caramel, floral notes, and cinnamon, far from Nearest Whiskey.
However, it has a beautiful deep golden hue, and its long finish lingers pleasantly sweet like Nearest Whiskey. Score a 750 mL at around $15 in online stores and US locations, which is very affordable. So, how many Fireball shots will get you drunk?
Popular Uncle Nearest Whiskey Cocktails
Hella Highballer
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch
- 3 oz Hella Cocktail Co. Aromatic Spritz Bitters & Soda
- Orange peel
Instructions:
Get a 10 oz highball glass, fill it with ice, and pour the liquid ingredients. Stir until combined and squeeze orange peel and top it off before serving.
Serving: 1
Tennessee Mule
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch
- 1.5 oz Hella Cocktail Co. Moscow Mule Mix
- 3 dashes Hella Apple Blossom Bitters
- Soda water
- Lemon wheel
Instructions:
Add the first three ingredients and shake them well in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain it in a collins glass and top it off with soda water to taste, then add the lemon as garnish.
Serving: 1
FAQs
Does ABC sell Uncle Nearest whiskey?
Yes, ABC Wine and Spirits sell Uncle Nearest Whiskey. ABC covers 17 states and has a monopoly over retail and wholesale of all categories of distilled spirits, bourbon, wine, and beer.
How do you drink Uncle Nearest 1856?
You can drink Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged neat, on the rocks, or as a cocktail. There are several cocktail recipes you may want to try, like Chocolate Old Fashioned.
Will Uncle Nearest whiskey get you drunk?
Yes, Uncle Nearest whiskey can get you drunk. The bourbon whiskey contains a relatively high ABV, and after three to four shots, you can get drunk.
Is Uncle Nearest a Bourbon or a Whiskey?
Uncle Nearest is a whiskey, specifically Tennessee whiskey. While all bourbons are whiskey, not all whiskeys are bourbon. Bourbon must meet specific legal requirements, including being made primarily from corn (at least 51%), aged in new charred oak barrels, distilled to no more than 160 proof, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. Tennessee whiskey, on the other hand, undergoes an additional step known as the Lincoln County Process, which involves filtering the whiskey through charcoal before aging. Uncle Nearest follows this process, making it a Tennessee whiskey rather than a bourbon.
What Age is Uncle Nearest For?
Uncle Nearest whiskey is aged for a minimum of seven years. Aging whiskey imparts flavors from the wood barrels, such as vanilla, caramel, and oak, and helps to mellow the spirit, resulting in a smoother and more complex taste. By aging Uncle Nearest for at least seven years, the whiskey achieves a balance of flavors and a depth of character that is highly prized by whiskey enthusiasts.
How Do You Drink Uncle Nearest Whiskey?
Uncle Nearest whiskey can be enjoyed in various ways, depending on personal preference and desired drinking experience. Many whiskey enthusiasts prefer to drink it neat, meaning straight from the bottle without any additional mixers or dilution. This allows the full flavor profile of the whiskey to be appreciated without any distractions. Alternatively, Uncle Nearest can be enjoyed on the rocks, served over ice to chill the whiskey slightly and mellow its flavors. Some may also choose to mix Uncle Nearest whiskey into cocktails, such as a classic Old Fashioned or Manhattan, where its smoothness and balanced flavors complement other ingredients. Ultimately, how one chooses to drink Uncle Nearest whiskey is a matter of personal preference, and experimenting with different serving methods can help uncover the most enjoyable way to savor this exceptional Tennessee whiskey.
Final Thoughts
Who would have thought that a magazine cover would lead to one of the most popular and best-selling whiskies worldwide? From Uncle Nearest whiskey’s price to its lasting legacy, it is no wonder it has been getting a lasting impact in the eyes of the public.
Uncle Nearest is crafted with excellence and apart from its interesting history lies one of the best tasting whiskies you could ever taste.
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