Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is inspired by the best whiskey-maker the world never knew, the first known African-American master distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green. The Uncle Nearest brand, wholly owned by Uncle Nearest, Inc., an all minority-led business, encompasses a premium aged whiskey with a blend of 8- to 14- year old, an 11-year-old minimum age single barrel, and a 7-year-old small batch offering, all mellowed using the Lincoln County Process, a unique filtering of bourbon through sugar maple charcoal. This process has been confirmed to have been brought to Tennessee by enslaved people and taught by Nearest Green to the most famous Tennessee Whiskey maker of all time. Uncle Nearest is distilled, aged, bottled and hand-labeled in Tennessee.
The company built its brand on its knack for sourcing the best of Tennessee whiskies and bourbons, and using its own non-temperature-controlled aging process and unique post-aging double filtration method that significantly changes the characteristics and profile of the original whiskies. Uncle Nearest is the most awarded new American premium whiskey brand in United States history, garnering 75 awards since its July 2017 debut, including being one of two brands named “World’s Best” at Whisky Magazine’s 2019 World Whiskies Awards, and earning 15 Best in Class. Cigar & Spirits Magazine also named Uncle Nearest one of the “Top 5 Whiskies in the World.”
The whiskey is currently available in all 50 states and 12 countries (while shipping into a total of 148 countries), in more than 10,000 stores, bars, restaurants and its 270-acre distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn., dubbed by a member of the press as “Malt Disney World.”
1820 Single Barrel Edition – Premium Whiskey Aged 11 Years – Did you know that less than 1% of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey barrels will ever be selected as single barrels? In order to be a candidate for our Uncle Nearest 1820, the whiskey must be aged a minimum of 11 years, with a cask strength above 108, and each one is hand-picked by our founders and approved by a panel of whiskey industry professionals. These barrels are exceptionally rare and the whiskey is worth the wait. Learn more.
1856 Premium Aged Whiskey – Uncle Nearest 1856 is a blend of premium aged whiskies between 8 and 14 years old. It has a caramel color with a beautiful deep golden hue. On the nose, baled hay and pumpkin seeds with subtle notes of ripe stone fruit and caramel corn. Bold and spicy upfront then mellows with sweet caramel and maple, like biting into an oatmeal raisin cookie. The finish is long and rich. It lingers pleasantly sweet on the palate with notes of vanilla after the spice dissipates. Learn more.
1884 Small Batch Whiskey – Uncle Nearest 1884 is the proud legacy of the best whiskey maker the world never knew, Tennessee distilling legend, Nearest Green. Each small batch has its barrels hand selected by our founders with each blend curated by descendants of Nearest Green. The signature of the descendant who curated each batch is embossed on the back. Learn more.
Nearest Green Distillery, Shelbyville, Tennessee
Due to the ongoing concern regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) we have chosen to temporarily close the Nearest Green Distillery for tours as a precautionary measure. We did not make this decision lightly and apologize for any disappointment or inconvenience this may cause. Like all of you, our number one priority is the health and safety of our guests, staff and community.
We look forward to reopening for tours in the near future and continuing to share the legacy of Nearest Green and our exceptional whiskey with all of you.
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Our facility is a working distillery and farm Monday through Friday. Therefore, our tours, retail experience, and restaurant are currently only available as listed above.
