Looking at this playing field it looks like uncle nearest 1856 is likely a combination of dickel and prichards. Creating the next great american brand uncle nearest whiskey. The story about nearests ties to the jack daniels distillery has been known to locals in lynchburg, the tennessee town where it is located, and was written about decades ago in a book about jack daniel. The story of nearest green was read by fawn weaver, a usa today and new york times and bestselling author, investor and founder of the happy wives club while traveling overseas.
It should be noted that a 2004 book misspelled nearest as nearis, based on an incorrect spelling on the 1880 census. Uncle nearest 1856 premium whiskey honors history and. But a story about how jack daniel began his distillery is only now gaining attention. If you love american whiskey, uncle nearest s story must. Uncle nearest premium whiskey preserves the legacy of. Some of the first clues about the role of nearest green were in daniels official biography, published in 1967. Fawn weaver, uncle nearest ceo, featured in forbes magazine feb 24. Uncle nearest is the most awarded new american premium whiskey brand in united states history, garnering 75 awards since its july 2017 debut, including being one of two brands named worlds best at whisky magazines 2019 world whiskies awards, and earning 15 best in class.
Review by blu tintphotography posted on 8262018 absolutely amazing. The substantial contribution of a former slave on jack daniels history is being thrust into the limelight as tennessees whiskey. When jack daniels failed to honor a slave, an author rewrote. Nov 10, 2017 the story of uncle nearest, the countrys first africanamerican master distiller, has come to light, and with it, a brandnew whiskey from tennessee. Slavery ended with ratification of the th amendment in 1865, and daniel opened his distillery a year. It will be a lot less productionfocused and more history and storydriven, allowing it to appeal to a larger demographic. Born into slavery and emancipated after the civil war, he is known as the master distiller who taught distilling techniques to jack daniel, founder of the jack daniel tennessee whiskey distillery. Clay risen in 2017, he highlighted fawn weavers research in a followup to his original new york times article, titled when jack daniels failed to honor a slave, an. The nearest green distillery is the first distillery in america to be built with the full family in mind, from children to your teetotaling grandmother. Mar 26, 2019 uncle nearest ceo fawn weaver, who also serves as executive producer of the story of nearest green, admitted in an august 2017 story in the new york times that she could spend the rest of her life. I just want to say to the family god bless you all and thank you jack daniels family for making all americians aware of the contributions blacks made to this country. Sep 03, 2017 nearest green, the man who taught jack daniels about whiskey writer fawn weaver spent last year digging into the unknown story of nearest green, mentor of whiskey distiller jack daniels and, per.
Uncle nearest whiskey and jeffrey wright share the story of. Uncle nearests story comes to life the whiskey lifestyle. Uncle nearest whiskey and jeffrey wright share the story. Uncle nearest tells the story of nathan nearest green, the greatest whiskey maker the world never knew, and it changes the history of tennessee whiskey. The secret history of the slave behind jack daniels. The secret history of the slave behind jack daniels whiskey. Her writings have focused on the topic of marriage advocacy. Uncle nearest is a premium whiskey from tennessee produced with local grain using the lincoln county process, an elevated technique that green is known for helping to perfect more than 160 years ago. March 5 talk at threadbare features fawn weaver, whos helping tell the littleknown story of nathan nearest green in words and whiskeys. I read the story of uncle nearest and knew i had to get a bottle for the history of it. Uncle nearest premium whiskey had made quite the name for itself in the last year, highlighting the man who taught jack daniel how to distill. At the time, weaver was devoted to uncovering and sharing greens history.
Learn about the slave who taught jack daniel how to make. You have decided to write a book about nearest green and also introduced uncle nearest 1856, a whiskey named after him. Apr 16, 2018 uncle nearest is a premium whiskey from tennessee produced with local grain using the lincoln county process, an elevated technique that green is known for helping to perfect more than 160 years ago. If you love american whiskey, uncle nearests story must. I learned the story of uncle nearest this summer at an event on marthas vineyard and was blown away. Uncle nearest 1856 premium whiskey, the new tennessee whiskey, debuted in oregon. Jeffrey wright shares the story of nearest green at. When jack daniels failed to honor a slave, an author. Uncle nearest 1856 premium tennessee whiskey blackwells. Jeffrey wright wants the world to know uncle nearests. With both of these initiatives, what do you hope to accomplish and why.
Mar 21, 2019 the story of uncle nearest had never been lost on the green family, who made the trip from tennessee for the occasion. Right book for the right person for the right day i love this quote from this quirky bibliophiles book set in india. Uncle wiggily longears is the main character of a series of childrens stories by american author howard r. Uncle nearest 1856 premium tennessee whiskey blackwell. The story of uncle nearest 1856 whiskey breaking bourbon. When the story and its book were uncovered once again recently by clay risen in the new york times in an effort to highlight greens.
The lost story of nearest green, the slave who taught jack daniel how to make whiskey. When the new york times reported on the story in 2016, green was still relatively unknown. It is with great pleasure we introduce you to fawn weaver, todays face of the south. I told the story and shared a glass with friends who also wanted to make a purchase. Uncle nearest, a whiskey inspired by green and his legacy, launched in 2017 and has become the fastestgrowing independent american whiskey brand in u. Jul 20, 2017 exslave who trained jack daniel gets new recognition.
Hes now credited as jack daniels first master distillerdaniel is listed as its secondand has a whiskey of his own, uncle nearest 1856 premium whiskey, which debuted in 2017. From princesses and pirates to super heroes and dinosaurs these personalized books for any age will encourage a. Uncle nearest ceo makes history on american whiskey magazine. But what nearest green developed was a craft and that great talent opened read more. Uncle nearest whiskey honors the first africanamerican. The story of uncle nearest had never been lost on the green family, who made the trip from tennessee for the occasion. Uncle nearest 1856 premium whiskey honors the emancipated slave who helped launch a brand nearest green was the slave who taught jack daniel to distill tennessee whiskey, and now his name is on a. Weavers original plan was to write a book about uncle nearest, tell his story through a movie and cement his place in history with a network of whiskey bars across america, she says.
His name has always been and will always be nathan nearest greenor to those who knew him best, uncle nearest. Uncle nearest honors slave who taught jack daniel to make. It is a blend of premium aged whiskies 9 14 years old. Below is the story, edited for clarity, of that first step in the journey to what today has become the uncle nearest distillery.
Uncle nearest whiskeys founder shares tales of relocating to rural. When the story and its book were uncovered once again recently by clay. She is writing a book about green, and last month introduced uncle nearest 1856, a whiskey produced on contract by another tennessee distillery. It is a story of honor, respect, and an unlikely friendship that could be the greatest american story you never heard. Uncle nearest founder fawn weaver has driven a tank through slavery archival barriers and dug deep into whiskeys hidden past to tell the story. Exslave who trained jack daniel gets new recognition. The uncle nearest brand, wholly owned by uncle nearest, inc. The story of nearest green, best known to his friends as uncle nearest, is the story of how with the help of a onetime slave, jack daniel started one of the best known brands in the world. Mash bill of 90% corn and rye with at least some of the remainder being malted corn, all from tennessee farms, according to uncle nearest.
Nearest green, nor his wife, harriet could read or write. Aug 15, 2017 when jack daniels failed to honor a slave, an author rewrote history. For years since nearests death, his story had been passed down from. She is writing a book about green, and last month introduced uncle nearest 1856, a whiskey produced on contract by. In order to be a candidate for our uncle nearest 1820, the whiskey must be aged a minimum of 11 years, with a cask strength above 108, and each one is handpicked by our founders and approved by a panel of whiskey industry professionals.
He began writing the stories for the newark news in 1910. Jul 12, 2019 we forever will be in this thing together and thats the story of nathan nearest green, uncle nearest, and jack daniel. Now, its up to each of us to share his story and to make sure hes given his due respect. Uncle nearest 1820 nearest green singlebarrel edition us21. Nov 28, 2017 the lost story of the slave who taught jack daniel how to make whiskey.
Sep 05, 2019 the story of nearest green, best known to his friends as uncle nearest, is the story of how with the help of a onetime slave, jack daniel started one of the best known brands in the world. Jeffrey wright wants the world to know uncle nearests story. Uncle nearest, as his family and friends in his hometown of lynchburg, tennessee called him, was the first known africanamerican master distiller. Personalized books for any age put me in the story. Greens story according to the article, built on oral history and the thinnest of. Directed by david poag and narrated by xx jeffrey wright, the film takes place in the renovated dan call farmhouse on. Nearest green, the man who taught jack daniels about whiskey writer fawn weaver spent last year digging into the unknown story of nearest green. Jeffrey wright shares the story of nearest green at tribeca. Uncle nearest 1856 premium whiskey honors history and legacy. The lost story of nearest green, the slave who taught jack.
This is the tale of how a black history month pitch to a new york times reporter went from an idea, to a story, to the retelling of one of americas greatest whiskey brands to the creation of what may just be one of americas next great whiskey brands uncle nearest. A profile of author fawn weaver, the historychanging woman behind uncle nearest whiskey whose diligence and research almost singlehandedly altered. This beautifully shot short film, telling the story of the first known african american master. Sep 19, 2017 looking at this playing field it looks like uncle nearest 1856 is likely a combination of dickel and prichards. Feb 21, 2020 former slave nathan nearest green taught jack daniel how to distill. Garis penned an uncle wiggily story every day except sundays for more than 30 years, and published 79 books within the authors lifetime. Oct 29, 2019 rather, the origin of uncle nearest is a hidden and long overdue story thats more than 150 years old. Uncle nearest is the most important story in american whiskey history how a 19thcentury slaves legacy is shaping one of todays most awardwinning spirits. That was the reality of most slaves and their children. Uncle nearest 1856 is a storied brand, but its not about taking pieces from the history books and inserting them into marketing. Born in 1976 as fawn evette wilson, she is the daughter of motown records songwriter and producer frank wilson. Jan 30, 2019 uncle nearest founder fawn weaver has driven a tank through slavery archival barriers and dug deep into whiskeys hidden past to tell the story of mr. Rather, the origin of uncle nearest is a hidden and long overdue story thats more than 150 years old. Jul 31, 2017 ultimately, the success of the newly released uncle nearest 1856 premium whiskey will rely on the taste of the whiskey.
Join your favorite characters in a personalized adventure from put me in the story. The story of nearest green recently premiered in nyc at the tribeca film center. Uncle nearest premium whiskey is inspired by the best whiskeymaker the world never knew, the first known africanamerican master distiller, nathan nearest green. Uncle nearest honors slave who taught jack daniel to. The story of uncle nearest, the countrys first africanamerican master distiller, has come to light, and with it, a brandnew whiskey from tennessee. The story of nathan nearest green is one of the most remarkable yet forgotten stories of our lifetime. My focus was literally book, movie, and some type of commemorative bottle, not a brand. Jun 26, 2016 uncle nearest is the best whiskey maker that i know of, the book quotes call as saying.
Jan 28, 2019 in this episode, listen in as fawn weaver, the entrepreneur who has made rediscovering greens story her business, and clay risen, the whiskey expert whose 2016 article in the new york times launched weavers quest, tell us the true story of nearest green and jack danieland of american whiskey. Instead, the history came first, and the whiskey is being built around it. While she initially thought her research would lead to a book or a. Nearest green, the man who taught jack daniels about whiskey. Uncle nearest is currently available in 48 states and 148 countries.
Uncle nearest 1856 is a storied brand, but not what you might be thinking. In the past three years, shes launched uncle nearest and has. This beautifully shot short film, telling the story of the first known african american master distiller, is about much more than whiskey. She is the historian and cofounder of the nearest green foundation. Uncle nearest premium whiskey 100 proof from tennessee. Whiskey brand uncle nearest highlights how black history. When jack daniels failed to honor a slave, an author rewrote history.
Now the brand uncle nearest whiskey is working to share his story. Oct 28, 2019 below is the story, edited for clarity, of that first step in the journey to what today has become the uncle nearest distillery. Nov 05, 2017 but, it is her next project that we are currently excited about the quest to discover the story of whiskey maker nearest green, the slave who taught jack daniel how to make whiskey. Nearest green home of the nearest green foundation. Hussey has become an unlikely ambassador for uncle nearest another steward of the story, as weaver likes to say. This story of a girl who borrows a book a day from book uncle on the corner of her neighborhood is full of wonderful nuggets of reading joy and wisdom and touches on politics and friendship as well. Wright was so inspired that he reached out to the brand himself to help tell the world about uncle nearest. The popular drink has been around for 151 years and its recipe is on the companys website, but a story about how jack daniel began his distillery is only now gaining traction. Uncle nearest is the most important story in american whiskey history. Uncle nearest is the best whiskey maker that i know of, the book quotes call as saying. It touches on race and the true origins of whiskey in america, and it involves a healthy dose of investigative journalism. Uncle nearest premium whiskey 100 proof from tennessee uncle. The lost story of the slave who taught jack daniel.
Filtered with maple charcoal via the lincoln county process and aged in charred, new american oak barrels for an undisclosed time. Uncle nearest alters story of tennessee whiskey confetti. It was on the call farm that young jack became one of the worlds most famous pupils and uncle nearest, the greatest teacher in the fine art of distilling tennessee whiskey, weaver said. And the companys owners, fawn and keith weaver, got it right and have made a very fine tasting whiskey. Whiskey brand uncle nearest highlights how black history shaped. A new whiskey distillery with special place in american history will open its doors to the public in tennessee in september. The rise of uncle nearest, is an update to the november 2017 article written by jim leggett for whisky magazine. Uncle nearest premium whiskey preserves the legacy of master.
Fawn weaver born 1976 is an american investor, historian, relationship blogger, and author who wrote the book happy wives club 2014. But the story behind uncle nearest is fascinating and historically important. In this case its not about taking a few pieces from the history books and inserting them into the brands marketing. Uncle nearest ceo makes history on american whiskey magazine cofounder and ceo of the super premium whiskey from tennessee is the firstever africanamerican featured on cover in publishers 20. Now, after more than 150 years the story of who taught uncle jack how to distill is being told.
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