The Uncle Nearest whiskey brand, which is based at the
Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, has today announced its new
UK distributor.
In addition to distributing their existing portfolio, Mangrove
UK, will also launch Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey (46.5% ABV) in the spring. The
launch was due to take place in 2020, but it had to be delayed due to the
Covid-19 pandemic.
Uncle Nearest announces new UK distributor and launch
The story of Nearest Green (known as ’Uncle Nearest’) is remarkable and an important milestone in whiskey making history of the United States. Nearest Green is acknowledged as the world’s first-known African American master distiller. His prodigies famously include Jack Daniel, who was Green’s young apprentice on a farm in Tennessee.
When Jack Daniel set up his distillery, he employed Green as
his master distiller, as well as hiring his sons. Green is also credited with
helping perfect what is now known as the Lincoln County Process, a method in
which whiskey is filtered through more than 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal.
This process was inspired by the techniques of enslaved men and women, who used
charcoal to filter their water and purify their foods in West Africa. The
Lincoln County Process, a requirement in order to be categorised as Tennessee
Whiskey, was named after the county in which Nearest lived and distilled.
Uncle Nearest CEO and Founder, Fawn Weaver, became the first
African American and the first woman to head a major spirits brand and Uncle
Nearest is the first American spirit brand with an all-female executive
team.
Commenting on the news, Katharine Jerkens, Chief Business
Officer at Uncle Nearest, said: “Uncle Nearest Inc. believes London and the UK
as a whole is an integral part to our global expansion. I am extremely
confident in our choice to move forward with Mangrove. They are proven successful leaders in spirits
distribution and brand building, and we know that they play a pivotal role in
building our brand throughout the United Kingdom.”
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, will be available
from Master of Malt and Amazon from the spring, for a RRP of £55.00.
Posted by Steve Rush