Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey, a national whiskey brand inspired by Nathan “Nearest” Green, officially launched in Portland, Ore., yesterday (7/19). The aged whiskey debut in Portland will be followed by Nashville, Tenn.
Uncle Nearest has distribution in Oregon, through Young’s Market, and in Tennessee, through Empire. Additional markets will be added this summer, we were told.
Uncle Nearest based in Tennessee. It contracted with two Tennessee distilleries to make the whiskey the way Green made it. Uncle Nearest has distilled its own product which is currently aging.
“This whiskey is meant to bring to the forefront the man who so few outside of Lynchburg, Tenn., knew was one of the most important master distillers in the creation of what is now known as Tennessee whiskey,” said Keith Miles, spokesman for the brand. “Having spent so much time with Green’s descendants, our founders knew their desire was to honor him with a premium whiskey made as close to his way as possible and bring it to every bar and spirit shop around the world, so everyone would know his name.”
The resulting whiskey is as unique as the story from which it came. The Uncle Nearest Premium Aged whiskey presents a caramel color with a deep golden hue. On the nose, baled hay, pumpkin seeds, stone fruit, caramel corn and sweet maple are present. On the palate, the whiskey shows spicy caramel notes up front, and then hints of maple as it mellows with dried fruit and floral notes. Sweetness and spice reminiscent of freshly baked oatmeal cookies remain through a long and rich finish.
A Premium Silver product, slated for a release later this summer, is the only clear whiskey in the world to undergo UN’s proprietary triple charcoal mellowing process to produce a smooth, mixable spirit.