Uncle Nearest 1856 Tennessee Whiskey (Sourced Whiskey)

The New York Times published an article last week stating that the Uncle Nearest brand is in financial distress, including defaulting on $108 million in loans, and "misstated details regarding the purchase of a $2.25 million house on Martha’s Vineyard," as well as defaulting on other loan requirements. The Uncle Nearest story is a powerful and worthy one which has reaped dividends for its founders; but is the story enough? While previous bottling were using entirely sourced bourbons, this one (according to the Times) is produced at "the Tennessee Distilling Ltd., a large contract producer located in Columbia, south of Nashville, in what is called an alternate proprietorship, in which Uncle Nearest takes control of the facility for a set period of time." The label says it is "bottled" by Nearest Green Distillers. Still sourced, aside from a technicality. All of this is merely pretext for why I chose to review this whiskey this evening; the article coerced me to taste it. The whiskey itself is fine, but not particularly noteworthy (aside from the great backstory and history of "Uncle" Nearest Green, who ostensibly taught Jack Daniel how to make Tennessee whiskey). The nose shows cherries, some cocoa, licorice, and menthol. The mouthfeel shows some glycerin, and oak and vanilla emerge on the palate and finish. There are no flaws or hard edges here, but in an environment overflowing with nondescript bourbon, this one isn't particularly noteworthy beyond the (powerful) story. 3.75+ on the Distiller scale.

A rich, Tennessee Whiskey by an Undisclosed Distillery made from a blend that’s been matured between 8 to 14 years in new American oak barrels, curated & approved by a descendant of Nathan "Nearest" Green. It was made with local corn & rye, a special yeast strain, double distillation, the exclusive Lincoln County process (triple charcoal mellowing) before being bottled at 100 proof. It has an aromatic birth with notes of brown sugar, sultana, cinnamon, earth, grass, charcoal & nutmeg; while a rich & elegant life adds notes of caramelized nuts, oat cookies, sandalwood, butterscotch, apple, hay, clove, nutmeg & oak; that leads to a creamy death of medium length with notes of mint leaf, milk chocolate, caramel & corn outro. August 2020 / April / November 2021 / August 2022 / December 2023

Vanilla, oak, light fruit notes on the nose. Spicy up front, hot but doesnt burn. Mostly vanilla on the palette with butter, apple/pear, and white oak. Really smooth mouthfeel: Nothing beats crystal clear southern limestone and charcol filtered water. Medium length tail leaves you wanting more. I added 2 drops of water to speed up the airation to bring down the heat if I’m in a rish to drink it. Mich more fruits and buttery vanilla on the nose this way too.

Nose: spiritous, char, faint apple and cherry in the distance Palate: sweet heat and caramel Finish: earthy heat With water: much improved. Heat toned waaay down. Nuttiness on the nose appears, fresh red fruits with powdered sugar and nutmeg on palate, and on the rocks the apple jumps forward. This really improved with water and was enjoyable on the rocks which is how I’d take it if offered again. (from Flaviar Advent Calendar)

Just a harsh glass a whiskey passing thorough. Sweet to smell with a bite at first taste. Disappears quickly and then warms your chest a few moments later. A slight bitterness and a hint of banana. Meh.

Nose: Pleasant, Classic Oaky Sweet Corn Palate: Sweet, very classic TN whiskey, 1.5 Stages Finish: Short, but tannic lingers a bit on back of the tougue Could be Daily, but nothing special