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Est. 2017Spirits

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey

Founded by Fawn Weaver · Shelbyville, TN

Verified Licensed

Verified against the DISTRYB licensing directory — public federal & state alcohol records for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey.

The Story

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. After New York Times coverage in 2016 brought Green's story to light, Fawn Weaver founded the brand in 2017 to ensure his legacy would never be forgotten again. The distillery operates on the same land where Green originally distilled in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Uncle Nearest has become the fastest-growing independent American whiskey brand.
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Fawn Weaver

Founder

Fawn Weaver is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. After discovering the untold story of Nathan 'Nearest' Green — the first known African American master distiller — Weaver moved to Tennessee to honor his legacy. She built Uncle Nearest into the fastest-growing American whiskey brand, available in 48 states and 148 countries.

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Stories about Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey

Du Nord Social Spirits Celebrates Gold Medals and a Pioneering Legacy

Du Nord Social Spirits, America’s first Black-owned distillery, continues to trailblaze, earning Gold Medals at the 2025 American Craft Spirits Competition. This recognition further solidifies its enduring impact on the craft spirits industry and its community.

Fawn Weaver's Historic Induction: A Milestone for Black-Owned Spirits

Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver makes history as the third African American woman inducted into the American Marketing Association New York Marketing Hall of Fame for 2025. Her visionary leadership continues to elevate Black entrepreneurship in spirits.

Uncle Nearest Navigates Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit: An Update for the Industry

Leading Black-owned whiskey brand <a href='/brands/uncle-nearest-premium-whiskey'>Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey</a> is making headlines as it addresses a significant multi-million dollar lawsuit, sparking industry conversations. We delve into the details.

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Nears Potential Sale to Black-Owned Firm

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, currently operating under receivership, has entered a non-binding letter of intent for a potential sale. This significant development could see the renowned brand acquired by an investment firm with African-American ownership and leadership.

From the Encyclopedia

The Cultural Significance of Sweet Tea and Spirits in Black American Communities

Sweet tea is a cornerstone of Southern Black American hospitality, and its combination with spirits represents a cherished tradition of communal celebration and informal mixology. This practice highlights the blending of everyday staples with festive occasions, embodying generosity and fellowship.

United Alliance of Black Distillers: Advocating for Inclusivity in the Spirits Industry

The United Alliance of Black Distillers (UABD) is a collective dedicated to fostering economic development and advocating for Black-owned distilleries and spirit brands. It addresses historical underrepresentation by providing resources, mentorship, and a unified voice for Black entrepreneurs in the spirits industry.

The Foundations of American Whiskey: Unacknowledged Black Contributions from Colonial Times to Prohibition

Black Americans played an integral, yet often uncredited, role in the development of American whiskey from its colonial beginnings through the Prohibition era. Their expertise in agriculture, fermentation, and distillation laid foundational techniques for the industry.

From Craft to Commerce: The Historical Struggle for Black American Ownership in the Whiskey Industry

Despite their foundational role in developing American whiskey, Black Americans faced significant historical barriers to commercial ownership and recognition. This article explores the systemic challenges and enduring resilience that shaped their journey from skilled laborers to modern entrepreneurs.

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On the public record

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey appears in the DISTRYB licensing directory as Federal TTB Permit TN-P-21124 — a public page about this business that nobody here controls.

If this is your business, claim it on DISTRYB and it becomes yours to run: your catalog, your wholesale accounts, your compliance filings.

Claim Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey on DISTRYB →See the record

How we know this

Ownership has since changed. Fawn Weaver and her husband, Keith Weaver, were terminated from their executive roles at Uncle Nearest by a court-appointed receiver on June 1, 2026.

On this being a Black-owned business:

“Uncle Nearest is the fastest-growing whiskey in U.S. history—its sales have tripled since 2022—and the best-selling Black-founded and -led spirit of all time.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2024/05/31/fresh-take-fawn-weavers-11-billion-whiskey-playbook/