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Tuesday, January 25, 2022

UNCLE NEAREST ANNOUNCES NEW UK DISTRIBUTOR AND LAUNCH

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