Uncle Nearest: How a Forgotten Whiskey Pioneer Became a Modern Icon

Uncle Nearest is more than a whiskey—it’s a tribute to a man whose story is finally being told. Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel the craft, was long absent from the narrative of American whiskey. Today, that silence has been broken. The Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey brand has reignited his legacy, placing Green’s name at the center of a billion-dollar industry he helped shape. The company, co-founded by Fawn Weaver, is driven by purpose and pride, blending award-winning spirits with a powerful story of recognition and justice. Green’s legacy now reaches across generations, inspiring new entrepreneurs, honoring Black excellence, and rewriting the history books. Each bottle sold not only represents top-tier craftsmanship but a step toward restoring the legacy of a man whose skills laid the groundwork for Tennessee whiskey. Uncle Nearest lives on—not just in taste, but in truth.