UNCLE NEAREST PREMIUM WHISKEY: 100% Additive-Free, 100% Legendary
Since our inception in 2017, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey has been 100% additive-free. But that’s just the beginning of the story. Our mission was never simply to enter the whiskey world — it was to redefine it.
Why We Chose ‘Premium Whiskey’ Over ‘Straight Bourbon’ Or ‘Tennessee Whiskey’
We could have labeled every non-rye bottle as Straight Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, or Premium Whiskey. We chose “Premium Whiskey” for a reason: to honor the legacy of Nearest Green — the godfather of Tennessee Whiskey. Nearest Green was famous for his exceptional Tennessee Whiskey, and calling it bourbon, while legally accurate, wouldn’t have told his story. Our mission was clear: to redefine what Tennessee Whiskey could be and elevate it beyond its traditional reputation.
At that time, Tennessee Whiskey was seen as a mixer — known for one iconic bottle and rarely viewed as a premium spirit. Even as ultra-premium Tennessee Whiskeys began to emerge, the perception of the category remained the same. Uncle Nearest set out to change that.
How We Redefined Tennessee Whiskey
To change perception, we knew we’d need proof. Our founder, Fawn Weaver, made it her mission to challenge whiskey critics worldwide. We entered our bottles in every blind tasting competition we could find. The result? By 2019, Uncle Nearest wasn’t just the most-awarded Tennessee Whiskey — it was the most-awarded whiskey in the bourbon category as well.
That same year, Fawn led a seminar at Tales of the Cocktail titled “Kentucky Bourbon vs. Tennessee Whiskey: Battle of the Premiums.” Her argument was simple but profound: Tennessee Whiskey can be more premium than bourbon. Why? Because it meets every strict requirement of bourbon but also undergoes an additional step — charcoal mellowing — which extends the production process and increases cost. This process, brought to Tennessee by West Africans and made known through Nearest Green, remains at the heart of our whiskey today.
From Sourced Barrels to Self-Sufficiency
When Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey was born, the liquid gold in our bottles was sourced from one of the only distilleries in America still making Tennessee Whiskey the Nearest Green way. We took those barrels and blended them into unique masterpieces, quickly making history with Uncle Nearest 1856 and 1884. That same year, those two expressions alone won more awards than any other bourbon or Tennessee Whiskey.
Since then, we’ve introduced new Uncle Nearest expressions and gone on to become the Most Awarded Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. But we didn’t stop there.
In 2021, we moved away from sourcing our whiskey and began distilling at Nearest Green Distillery in Columbia, TN (DSP-TN-21144), while aging, blending, and bottling at Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, TN (DSP-TN-21066). Our future plans include distilling at the Shelbyville location as well, but a few changes to the master plan — and one incredibly unexpected expense — have delayed those plans until Spring 2026.
Even so, our distillery tour experience continues to be ranked the #1 distillery tour in the world by Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and every similar rating site.
Becoming the 7th most visited distillery in the world within two years of opening those grounds presented new challenges. To ensure the thousands of guests who visit every weekend have one of the most memorable experiences of their lives, we had to rethink how our Shelbyville distillery operates. One of the most unexpected expenses? Building our own utility plant — a move we never anticipated but knew was essential to accommodate the massive influx of visitors.
With all these developments, we remain committed to distilling our award-winning whiskies at the Nearest Green Distillery in Columbia, TN, and will continue to do so for years to come. Every step we’ve taken has been a continuation of the legacy Nearest Green began more than 160 years ago.
Embracing the Tennessee Whiskey Label
For nearly seven years, we used the “Premium Whiskey” label to distinguish our bottles from others in the category. But now that the world finally understands what Premium Tennessee Whiskey represents — quality, legacy, and unmatched craftsmanship — we are ready to make the transition.
In the coming years, we will proudly update every label to say “Premium Tennessee Whiskey.” This change reflects the quality that has always been in our bottles and the legacy that Nearest Green deserves.
100% Additive-Free. Naturally Pure.
Every bottle of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey is 100% additive-free. But the purity doesn’t stop there. Our whiskey is also naturally:
✅ Sugar-free
✅ Fat-free
✅ Carb-free
✅ Gluten-free
How is this possible when it tastes so good and happens to be the world’s most-awarded Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey for six years straight? Class is in session.
Here’s the breakdown:
This means Uncle Nearest fits into sugar-free, carb-free, fat-free, and gluten-free diets — a rarity in the world of whiskey. But as always, if you have specific dietary restrictions, sensitivities, or health conditions, it’s best to consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian.
Why Uncle Nearest Is Different
Tennessee Whiskey isn’t just bourbon with a different name. It’s bourbon plus one crucial step: charcoal mellowing. This extra step, also known as the Lincoln County Process, removes impurities that would otherwise make their way into the bottle. The result? A smoother, cleaner pour.
While other Tennessee Whiskeys may follow this process, Uncle Nearest takes it one step further. Our whiskey is filtered through sugar maple charcoal, a method perfected by Nearest Green himself, ensuring every bottle is as smooth as it is clean.
It’s why Uncle Nearest is beloved for its familiar, yet distinct, flavor profile — notes of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, toffee, oatmeal raisin cookies, stone fruit, and buttered popcorn. It’s also why whiskey connoisseurs and newcomers alike find themselves reaching for Uncle Nearest time and time again.
Legacy Meets Leadership
Uncle Nearest isn’t just leading the charge for premium Tennessee Whiskey — we’re setting a new bar for what whiskey can be. Our story isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about upholding a legacy. From sourcing our whiskey to building our own distillery and utility plant, we’ve done things the hard way — and it shows.
This journey has made Uncle Nearest the most awarded Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey in the world for six years running. But it’s not just about awards. It’s about honoring the man behind it all.
By embracing the label “Premium Tennessee Whiskey,” we ensure that every pour, every sip, every story tied to this brand points back to Nearest Green — the godfather of Tennessee Whiskey.
Bottom line: Uncle Nearest isn’t just making whiskey; we’re making history.
Let’s build the next great American brand together.
Disclaimer: Although Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey are naturally sugar-free, carb-free, fat-free, and gluten-free, it’s always recommended to consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian if you have specific dietary restrictions, sensitivities, or health conditions.
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