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Everything you need to know about Nearest Green Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch American Whiskey£55.99 Inc VAT -
Uncle Nearest 1856 American Whiskey 100 Proof£65.99 Inc VAT -
Uncle Nearest 1856 American Whiskey 100 Proof 75cl£79.93 Inc VAT
A brief History
Nearest Green, Tennessee Region, USA. Founded in 2017.
Nearest Green Distillery is a modern Tennessee whiskey distillery built to honour Nathan “Nearest” Green, widely recognised as the first known African-American master distiller in the United States. Green was a highly skilled whiskey maker in the 1800s and played a major role in teaching the techniques used to produce Tennessee whiskey.
For many years his contribution to American whiskey history was largely overlooked. That changed when entrepreneur Fawn Weaver researched Green’s story and launched the Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey brand in 2017. The brand quickly grew in popularity and led to the creation of the Nearest Green Distillery, which opened in Shelbyville, Tennessee in 2019.
Today the distillery produces Tennessee whiskey while also acting as a visitor destination that celebrates Green’s legacy. The site includes distillation facilities, maturation warehouses, and a museum dedicated to his life and influence on American whiskey.
Taste Profile
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Oaky / Woody |
Spicy | Sweet |
Whiskies produced for the Uncle Nearest brand follow the traditional Tennessee whiskey style, where the spirit is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before ageing. This process softens the whiskey and creates a smoother character.
Expect flavours of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak, supported by gentle spice in the finish. The whisky tends to be rich and rounded, balancing sweetness with warming oak influence.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Caramel / Toffee |
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Cinnamon / Clove |
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Oak / Wood Spice |
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Vanilla |
Most Popular Bottles
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey
A bold Tennessee whiskey bottled at higher proof with deep caramel and spice notes.
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch
A smoother expression with vanilla sweetness and gentle oak.
Uncle Nearest Single Barrel
Limited releases highlighting individual cask character.
These whiskies have helped the brand become one of the fastest-growing premium American whiskey labels in recent years.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Nearest Green Distillery
Address: 3125 US-231, Shelbyville, TN 37160, United States
 Open in Maps |
 www.unclenearest.com |
 +1 931 248 2424 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes — the distillery operates a large visitor experience with tours and tastings.
Typical opening hours
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Thursday – Sunday
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Around 10:00 – 17:00
The visitor centre includes a museum dedicated to Nathan Green and his role in shaping Tennessee whiskey.
Ownership History
Historic Inspiration
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Nathan “Nearest” Green (19th-century master distiller)
Modern Founder
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Fawn Weaver (2017)
Current Ownership
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Uncle Nearest Inc.
The distillery and brand were created to recognise and celebrate Nearest Green’s historical contribution to American whiskey.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Nearest Green Distillery is located in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and is closely associated with the Uncle Nearest whiskey brand. The brand honours Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved African American distiller who is widely recognised as the first known master distiller of Tennessee whiskey and the mentor to Jack Daniel.
The modern brand was founded in 2017 by entrepreneur Fawn Weaver. It was created to recognise Nearest Green’s historical contribution to American whiskey and to celebrate his legacy within the industry.
The distillery complex is one of the newest large-scale whiskey tourism destinations in Tennessee.
Production
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Spirit Type: Tennessee whiskey
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Distillation: Column still followed by traditional Tennessee whiskey processing
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Filtering: Lincoln County Process (charcoal mellowing through sugar maple charcoal)
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Barrels: New charred American oak
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Maturation: Standard American whiskey aging practices in rickhouses
Charcoal mellowing differentiates Tennessee whiskey from standard bourbon by filtering the spirit before maturation.
Whisky Style
Uncle Nearest whiskey typically shows:
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Rich caramel and vanilla
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Sweet corn base
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Maple and toasted oak
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Soft spice
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Smooth, rounded finish
The charcoal mellowing process contributes to a softer, more refined texture.
Key Expressions
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Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey – High-proof flagship expression
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Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch – Named after the year Nearest Green became the first known African American master distiller
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Uncle Nearest Single Barrel – Limited individual barrel releases
These expressions highlight different blending and maturation strategies.
Significance
Nearest Green Distillery and the Uncle Nearest brand have become historically significant for recognising the previously overlooked role of Nathan Green in American whiskey history.
The brand has also grown rapidly, becoming one of the most successful new premium American whiskey brands of the 21st century while helping reshape the narrative around diversity and heritage within the whiskey industry.
Nearest Green Whiskey to Buy
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