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THE MOST AWARDED BOURBON
AND TENNESSEE WHISKEY OF
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, AND 2023.

Most Awarded Bourbon and American Whiskey of 2019,2020,2021,2022,&2023
7 different Uncle Nearest Whiskey Bottles Shop the Collection
2023 BEST IN CLASS WHISKIES OF THE WORLD AWARDS Award
2023 BEST WHISKEY CRITICS CHALLENGE Award
2023 BEST OF THE BEST LA INVITATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION Award
2023 BEST RYE WHISKEY INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION Award
2023 BEST TENNESSEE WHISKEY INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION Award
2023 GOLD MEDAL AMERICAN WHISKEY MASTERS Award
2023 CONSUMER'S CHOICE SIP AWARDS Award
2023 DOUBLE GOLD SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION Award
2023 PLATINUM MEDAL ASCOT AWARDS Award
2022 Best in Class Craft Distiller Award
2022 Double Gold San Fran Award
2022 Master Blender Award
2022 Best in Class Drink Business Award
2022 Gold Denver Award
2022 Gold San Diego Award
2021 - Best American Whiskey Ascot Awards Award
2021 - Chairmans Trophy Award
2021 - WOTY Award
2021 - Best in Show Gold Outstanding Award
2021 - Best Tennessee Whiskey SanFran WSC Award
2021 - Victoria Eady Butler Award
2021 - Spirit of the Year Award
2021 - Best Tennessee Whiskey John Barleycorn Award
2021 - Platinum Bev Tasting Award
2021 - MASTER The Spirit Business Award
2020 Double gold san francisco world spirits competition Award
2020 first place intl whisky comp Award
2020 double gold sip awards intl spirits comp Award

THE STORY OF NEAREST GREEN

Narrated by Emmy-Award winning actor Jeffrey Wright, this beautifully shot short film, telling the story of the first known African-American master distiller, is about much more than whiskey. It is a story of honor, respect, and an unlikely friendship that could be the greatest American story you never heard.

More AboutUncle Nearest

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world’s first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. It was the first spirits brand in the world to be named after a Black American. The portfolio is the Most Awarded Bourbon and American Whiskey of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Our seven ultra-premium whiskeys have garnered over 1,100 awards and accolades since the brand’s 2017 launch, including 715 Gold medals or higher, 123 Best in Class honors and an average critic’s score of 92. Some notable mentions include: Spirit Brand of the Year from Wine Enthusiast, two Chairman’s Trophies from Ultimate Spirits Challenge, four Master Blender of the Year awards – including two back-to-back from Whisky Magazine, Whisky of the Year from USA Spirits Ratings, and three “World’s Best” awards from Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards.

Uncle Nearest is currently sold in all 50 states and 12 countries, and is sold in more than 25,000 stores, bars, hotels, restaurants, as well as at its 432-acre Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn. dubbed as “Malt Disney World” by the press. Follow us on Instagram @unclenearest.

Read the full story

The Why

My Sugar Baby

Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

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Nearest Green Distillery

Nearest Green Distillery decorative pattern decorative pattern decorative pattern decorative pattern decorative pattern decorative pattern

Nearest Green Distillery Tour

Now Open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday


Pin Icon Nearest Green Distillery,
3125 Highway 231 N Shelbyville, TN


Learn More

Cocktails

Cocktail Recipe

Old Fashioned

The Ingredients

  • 2 oz  Uncle Nearest 1856
  • 0.25 oz  Simple Syrup
  • 2 Dashes  Hella Cocktail Co. Aromatic Bitters
  • Orange or Lemon Peel Garnish

The Method

Combine all liquid ingredients over ice in a rocks glass. Stir for 30 seconds, or until desired chill and dilution are reached. Garnish with an orange or lemon peel.

Cocktail Recipe

Bell Buckle

The Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz  Uncle Nearest 1884
  • 0.75 oz  Sorel
  • 0.25 oz  Averna
  • 3 Dashes  Hella Cocktail Co. Ginger Bitters
  • Lemon Peel Garnish

The Method

Combine all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 30 seconds, or until desired chill and dilution are reached. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Cocktail Recipe

Perfect 36

The Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz  Uncle Nearest 1884
  • 0.75 oz  Fresh Lime Juice
  • 0.5 - 0.75 oz  Real Grenadine*
  • *Real Grenadine: Combine 1 cup pomegranate juice with 1 cup sugar over medium heat until all sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add 1 tsp orange zest. Let sit for 30 minutes. Strain and cool.

The Method

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 8-10 seconds. Strain into a small, chilled coupe glass.

Cocktail Recipe

Tennessee Buck

The Ingredients

  • 2 oz  Uncle Nearest 1856
  • 0.5 oz  Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 0.25 oz  Ginger Syrup
  • Ginger Beer
  • Lemon Wheel Garnish

The Method

Fill a highball glass with ice. Combine Uncle Nearest 1856, fresh lemon juice, and ginger syrup. Stir to combine. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Cocktail Recipe

Mint Julep

The Ingredients

  • 2 oz  Uncle Nearest 1856
  • 6-8  Mint Leaves
  • 0.25 oz  Simple Syrup (or more to taste)
  • Hella Cocktail Co. Aromatic Bitters (optional)
  • Mint Sprig Garnish

The Method

Gently muddle the mint leaves and simple syrup in a Julep cup or rocks glass. Add Uncle Nearest 1856 and pack the glass with crushed ice. Stir until the outside of the glass is frosted. Add more ice to form a small dome. Garnish with a mint spring and aromatic bitters (optional).

Cocktail Recipe

Hibiscus Daisy

The Ingredients

  • 1 oz  Uncle Nearest 1884
  • 1 oz  Equiano Light Rum
  • 1 oz  Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 0.75 oz  1:1 Agave Syrup
  • 0.5 oz  Sorel Liqueur
  • Pinch of Coarse Sea Salt
  • Lemon Wheel garnish

The Method

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and a pinch of salt. Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Cocktail Recipe

Copper Skies

The Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz  Uncle Nearest 1856
  • 0.75 oz  Cinnamon Syrup
  • 0.5 oz  Lime Juice
  • 1.5 oz  Coconut Water
  • Grapefruit Soda
  • Grated Cinnamon
  • Grapefruit Peel Garnish

The Method

Combine first 4 ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 5 seconds. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice and top with grapefruit soda to taste. Garnish with a grapefruit peel and fresh grated cinnamon.

Cocktail Recipe

Rye Smash

The Ingredients

  • 2 oz  Uncle Nearest Straight Rye
  • Lemon Wedges
  • Mint Leaves
  • 0.5 oz - 0.75 oz  Simple Syrup
  • Seasonal fruit (optional)

The Method

Combine lemon wedges, mint leaves, simple syrup, (and seasonal fruit if using) in a cocktail shaker. Muddle gently to release juice and oils. Add Uncle Nearest Straight Rye and ice. Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Double strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Cocktail Recipe

Uncle Nearest Sidecar

The Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz  Uncle Nearest 1884
  • 1 oz  Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 oz  Simple Syrup
  • 0.5 oz  Cointreau Liqueur
  • Orange Peel Garnish

The Method

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 8-10 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

Cocktail Recipe

Revolver

The Ingredients

  • 2 oz  Uncle Nearest 1856
  • 0.5 oz  Coffee Liqueur
  • Dashes Hella Cocktail Co. Orange Bitters
  • Flamed Orange Peel Garnish

The Method

Combine all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 30 seconds, or until desired chill and dilution are reached. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Flame an orange peel and express the oils over the drink. Set the peel on the rim of the glass for garnish.

Cocktail Recipe

Gold Rush

The Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz  Uncle Nearest Straight Rye
  • 0.75 oz  Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 0.75 oz  1:1 Honey Syrup
  • Lemon Wheel Garnish

The Method

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 8-10 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Cocktail Recipe

Boulevardier

The Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz  Uncle Nearest 1856
  • 0.75 oz  Sweet Vermouth
  • 0.75 oz  Campari
  • Orange Peel Garnish

The Method

Combine all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 30 seconds, or until desired chill and dilution are reached. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

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