Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey is a 750mL Tennessee whiskey bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) — a blend of premium aged whiskeys between 8 and 14 years old, charcoal-mellowed in the Tennessee tradition, blended under Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler, a fifth-generation descendant of Nearest Green, and bottled at the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee. It honours the man it is named for: the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey and is recognised as the first known African-American master distiller. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 50% (100 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: Premium aged Tennessee whiskeys, 8 to 14 years old
- Master Blender: Victoria Eady Butler, fifth-generation descendant of Nearest Green
- Origin: Nearest Green Distillery, Shelbyville, Tennessee
The Blend That Carries a Legend's Name
Nathan "Nearest" Green perfected Tennessee whiskey-making in Lynchburg in the 1800s, and for a century and a half history nearly lost his name. Author Fawn Weaver founded Uncle Nearest to put it back on the barrel, and the 1856 — named for Green's distilling era — is the flagship: older whiskeys, eight to fourteen years in oak, married at a full 100 proof by Green's own great-great-granddaughter. It is a piece of American whiskey history you can actually pour. Explore the range on the Uncle Nearest vendor page, or browse our whisky collection.
Tasting Notes
Per the brand: baled hay and pumpkin seeds with ripe stone fruit and caramel corn on the nose; bold and spicy up front, then mellowing into sweet caramel and maple — like biting into an oatmeal raisin cookie; the finish is long and rich, pleasantly sweet, with vanilla lingering after the spice fades.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a splash of water at 100 proof, and it has the weight for a serious Old Fashioned or Manhattan. More Tennessee whiskey is in our spirits collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Uncle Nearest?
Nathan "Nearest" Green — the enslaved distiller who taught a young Jack Daniel to distill in Lynchburg, Tennessee, and the first known African-American master distiller. The brand was founded by Fawn Weaver to honour his legacy.
What is the difference between Uncle Nearest 1856 and 1884?
The 1856 is a 100-proof blend of whiskeys aged 8 to 14 years; the 1884 is a 93-proof small batch drawn from barrels aged a minimum of 7 years, each batch curated by a descendant of Nearest Green.
What proof is Uncle Nearest 1856?
100 proof (50% ABV), 750mL.
A flagship worthy of the name on the label — order Uncle Nearest 1856 online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.