The Uncle Nearest Distillery celebrates and honors the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green, America’s first-known African American master distiller and the person who taught Jack Daniel the craft of whiskey.

Today, this black woman owned whiskey has become the fastest growing American Whiskey in U.S. history. If that doesn’t make you want to clap, I don’t know what will. I finally had the chance to try this brand at a whiskey event, which we paid to attend, and I’m so glad I did.

1884 Small Batch:
Nose: oak and sweetness
Palate: vanilla, cinnamon, oak and spice
Finish: warming, cinnamon and spices
ABV: 46.5%
Cost: $44-$50

1856 Premium Batch:
Nose: vanilla, nutmeg and oak
Palate: caramel, spices, oak and sweetness
Finish: spices, caramel and smoothness
ABV: 50%
Cost: $60-$70

Straight Rye Whiskey:
Nose: pepper and oak
Palate: vanilla, caramel and rye
Finish: rye and spiced
ABV: 50%
Cost: $60-$70

My favorite of the three, 1856. This whiskey is smooth, full of spices and even at 50% ABV it hugs you in all the right ways. It’s a mature tasting whiskey.

1884 is good as well, a bit harsher and younger tasting. With that said I was still quite impressed with the pronounced cinnamon and spiced notes.

The Rye was my least favorite but… that’s not due to the brand but rather my current relationship with any rye whiskey. If you love rye whiskies then you’ll love it, it’s smooth, spiced and bottled at a good cask strength.

Overall, it is extremely impressive what this brand has done. It’s fantastic whiskey and I can’t wait to see what more they come out with. If you could only get one, I highly recommend the 1856 Premium Batch, it’s superb.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.