In 2017, Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey launched in the United States. Honouring the first known African American master distiller, Nearest Green.
More than 600 awards and accolades throughout the world since 2017 launch.
Including the coveted Double Gold award at the 2020, 2021 and 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Uncle Nearest has earned 71 Best in Class honors, including Spirit Brand of the Year from Wine Enthusiast, two Chairman’s Trophies from Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Whisky of the Year from USA Spirits Ratings, and back-to-back honors of “World’s Best” at the 2019 and 2020 World Whiskies Awards.
Nearest Green, affectionately nicknamed Uncle Nearest by his friends and family in Lynchburg, Tennessee, is the world’s first known African American master distiller. Nearest is credited with helping perfect the globally recognized Lincoln County Process, which is the defining distinction between Kentucky Bourbon from Tennessee Whiskey.
