Whisky: Uncle Nearest Straight Rye
Distillery: Nearest Green Distillery
Parent company: Family owned
Region: Shelbyville, USA
Whisky Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Age: NAS
ABV: 47%
Aged in Cask: New charred American oak
Price Range: $$
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is a brand of Tennessee whiskey produced by Uncle Nearest, Inc., headquartered in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The brand is named after Nathan “Nearest” Green, a man born into slavery who taught a young Jack Daniel the craft of distilling. Nearest Green is the first African American master distiller in the United States.
The story says that Dan adopted a young boy by the name of Jasper Newton Daniel, who lost his mother due to illness and had him on the farm as a chore boy (feeding pigs, cows, etc.). Through the years, the boy became Green’s apprentice and learned how to filter whiskey using sugar maple charcoal. This filtering method is known today as “The Lincoln County Process” and the signature step of Tennessee Whiskey. The result is a mellow whiskey without the harshness that comes with a new make spirit.
Jack began selling Nearest’s whiskey in other towns in Lynchburg, including soldiers during the civil war. Uncle Nearest’s whiskey became popular in cities like Huntsville and Nashville for its smoothness and character. At some point, Jack learned about the whiskey business, moved out of the farm, and bought Dan’s share of the distillery.
After the civil war, Nearest Green became a free man and was offered the job of master distiller in Jack Daniel’s new distillery, a job he refused due to retirement. However, Nearest’s sons, Lewis, Eli, and George continued the tradition of making whiskey the Nearest’s way. Since then, seven generations of Green’s family have worked at the Jack Daniel’s distillery.
Jack Daniel and his descendants became wealthy through the years and in 1956, the family sold it to Brown-Forman for US$20 million.
Nearest Green Distillery’s CEO and founder, Fawn Weaver, has partnered with Brown-Forman to bring the Nearest Green story to the forefront of Jack Daniel’s story.
Tasting Notes for Uncle Nearest Straight Rye
Uncle Nearest sources Canadian rye from an undisclosed distillery and ages in NY for at least four years in new American oak before aging for an additional time in used oak in warehouses in Tennessee.
Nose: Aromas of fruits, caramel, vanilla, and oak.
Palate: A warm arrival of rye grain and spice and orange. The development continues with a sharp spicy profile that is thin and light in texture.
Finish with plenty of spices (pepper and clove) and a lingering heat that goes away fast.
Conclusion: Not a big fan. The rye feels young and bold. The issue that I have is that the spicy flavors dominate the experience. However, I would not rule it out for a casual hang-out with friends new to the category on a hot sunny day.
Try this whiskey side by side with Lot 40 or Crown Royal Barley Edition, and you will notice the difference. I also think that $60 is way too expensive for the quality inside the bottle.
Score: 2/5 ⭐
If you’re interested in rye whiskey, don’t miss my reviews on rye whiskeys here. Take a look at my Instagram profile, for more pictures and videos of whiskeys and distilleries.
Legend
$50 or less $
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