"Uncle Nearest, the first African-American master whiskey distiller, is now facing financial issues and selling off assets to avoid bankruptcy. In August 2025, the company was named in a $100 million lawsuit filed by creditor Farm Credit Mid-America and was placed in a court-ordered receivership. It now must sell off non-crucial business assets in hopes the company won't have to declare bankruptcy."
"Uncle Nearest, which markets itself as "the best whiskey maker the world never knew," has been producing distilled Tennessee whiskey, rye, and bourbon since 2017, but the legacy of the brand's name dates back to the 1800s. It pays homage to a formerly enslaved man named Uncle Nearest (or Nearis depending on some sources) Green. Green was the person who taught legendary distiller Jack Daniel how to make whiskey, but the contributions he made, which were allegedly responsible for the incredible"
Uncle Nearest was founded by Fawn and Keith Weaver less than ten years ago and rapidly rose in the premium whiskey market. The company opened a distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee in 2019 and reported selling more than $100 million in whiskey in 2022. In August 2025, Farm Credit Mid-America filed a $100 million lawsuit and a court placed the company in receivership. The company must sell non-crucial business assets to try to avoid bankruptcy. The brand honors Uncle Nearest Green, who taught Jack Daniel distilling techniques, and the CEO is contesting the receivership and asset seizures.
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