According to ghanaweb.com Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is now one of the most successful Black-owned distilleries in the world. The company sales exceeded $100 million through October 2022. The whiskey brand expects to more than double that total by the end of 2023.
Fawn Weaver came across an article in New York Times about Green and the formation of the Jack Daniel Distillery several years ago. The author was instantly captivated by Daniel and Green’s relationship. She had to know more. So she and her husband traveled from Los Angeles to Lynchburg, Tennessee, with a mission: get to the bottom of the story, and turn Nearest Green into a household name.
The whiskey was founded in 2017. It was created to honor the memory of Nathan ‘Nearest’ Green, an enslaved African American. He helped Jack Daniels curate the recipe for his whiskey and start his distillery. The company’s whiskey portfolio consists of seven offerings and is available in all 50 states, territories, and districts nationwide. This whiskey wasn’t only created for the enjoyment of our tastebuds.
The Future of Nearest Green Premium Whiskey
Vibe.com tells us that Weaver spoke about the accomplishments in an official press release pledging to use some of the proceeds to put Nearest Green’s college-age descendants through college. “To reach this in every other milestone on our horizon,” Weaver said, “we continue to push nonstop.” Every penny this company has earned has gone back into the business and invested in minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. This is through Black Business Booster Program (BBB), the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative(NJAI), and Uncle Nearest Ventures. Nearest Whiskey has made a name for itself and wants to expand its space.
This announcement follows news of its recently expanded 323-acre distillery in Shelbyville, TN. The Nearest Green distillery is undergoing a $50 million four-phase buildout which started Juneteenth 2021. Last year, Uncle Nearest announced that it is the best-selling Black American, founded, owned, and led spirit brand in U.S. history. In addition, it was the most awarded bourbon in American whiskey of 2019, 2020, and 2021.
