‘Godfather of Tennessee Whiskey’: Uncle Nearest, former slave, shatters barriers in spirits industry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Before Jack Daniel reached national prominence, an enslaved man taught him all about whiskey, only to go centuries without being recognized.

In an effort to ensure that Nearest Green’s legacy is not forgotten, a distillery opened in 2019 in Middle Tennessee, where his sacrifices are on full display.

This comes after the CEO of Nearest Green Premium Whiskey, Fawn Weaver, invested resources into learning more about Nearest.

After a few years, 20 researchers traveled to multiple states and collected a reported 10,000 artifacts associated with the man considered the Godfather of Tennessee Whiskey.

“African Americans were so involved in the whiskey business, we’ve never seen one honored because that’s because we never knew any of their names,” Weaver said in a previous interview with WSMV.

Now, 313 acres of farmland in Shelbyville has been converted into the headquarters of the first-ever African American distiller on record.

Throughout the space are reminders of the past, from family portraits to items collected during the 1800s, when Nearest taught a young Jack Daniel how to make whiskey, only no tot receive any credit for centuries.

“It’s emotional to think about it,” Nearest great-great granddaughter Victoria Eady Butler said. “Knowing that his legacy laid dormant for more than 160 years, that is what inspires me to keep going.”

Since the company launched, multiple initiatives have been started to increase representation in the spirits industry. They have invested millions into college students along with hosted professional development summits.

During that time, Eady Butler joined the team and followed in her grandfather’s footsteps in making history becoming the first African American female master blender in the whiskey business.

“If I’m the last then we have failed,” Eady Butler said. “I’m extremely proud of the position that I hold, being the first, African American female master blender in the whiskey business, but we believe in pulling as we climb.”

Not only is Eady Butler the first in her position, but also the company is ran by a black woman and their executive team is all female.

While Jack Daniel reportedly never gave a settlement to Green’s family, they did recently form a partnership with Uncle Nearest to create a multi-million dollar program aimed at advancing African Americans leadership in the spirits industry.

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