Best in American Categories Finalists and Winners: 2023 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition

With every blend of Uncle Nearest, fifth generation Nearest Green descendant and our master blender, Victoria Eady Butler, selects a barrel she believes to be the most spectacular of the batch and sets it aside. For the first time ever, these select barrels have been blended together to create our most perfect blend. Known as the “Godfather of Tennessee Whiskey,” Nearest Green was the world’s first known African-American master distiller.

The astonishingly smooth nature of his whiskey began with new American oak barrels, a low barrel entry proof following filtration through sugar maple charcoal, before resting in a non-temperature controlled rickhouse for a minimum of six winters. All of his whiskey was distilled, aged, filtered, and bottled in Tennessee. We continue that tradition. Every Master Blend Edition of our premium whiskey is bottled at cask strength at Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

Our inaugural whiskey, Uncle Nearest 1856 is an award-winning blend, bottled at 100 proof. It is astonishingly smooth and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite whiskey or bourbon cocktail. This legacy-era bottling contains whiskey from our own barrels, and we couldn’t be more proud to share it with you. Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in U.S. history. In 2017, Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey was launched in the United States.

This exceptional whiskey offers a medley of floral, dried fruit, and spice fragrances. On the palate, one can savor the flavors of dried apricot, ginger, cinnamon, green tea, and lavender, which seamlessly transition into a rich tapestry highlighting the aged rye whiskey elements. As you explore further, subtle notes of dark cocoa harmonize with classic herbal tea, honey, and tobacco undertones. The journey concludes with a long-lasting finish that elegantly balances light caramel with enduring hints of ground pepper and rye spice, leaving a lasting impression.

Straight Rye Whiskey has experienced a strong resurgence in the American whiskey landscape, yet Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. was making this style more than 100 years ago. This small batch, Bottled-in-Bond 100-proof straight rye whiskey pays tribute to the former Distillery owner with a unique rye whiskey reminiscent of days long past.

Knob Creek Rye is patiently aged for seven years in deeply charred barrels and bottled at 100 proof to give it the signature Knob Creek full flavor. At seven years, Knob Creek Rye achieves its optimal flavor profile resulting in the perfect balance between sweet barrel notes and spicy rye character. Its high corn mash bill makes it perfect for the bourbon drinker looking to add a rye to their liquor cabinet.

A blended rye-heavy mash that starts sweet on the front of your palate and finishes with a hint of white pepper & spice.

Our classic Whiskey War Barrel Proof has been aged a second and third time in new oak barrels. This heightens the sweetness and provides additional oak and vanilla notes for your palate to explore.

Rivalist American Single Malt Whiskey is a small batch, of artisanal whiskey made from 100% malted barley. Handcrafted from start to finish using three styles of barley (odyssey, chocolate, and caramel malts) in our copper pot still, then aged to perfection in new oak barrels. Rivalist is beautifully complex yet elegantly simple. Sit back, pour a glass, and give a toast to perfection.

John Dyson’s Scottish heritage and his lifelong dedication to intelligent, best-in-class farming practices have driven us to make the finest traditional single malt using the best local New York State grains. Little Rest is the only whisky made in the US by a Scottish Master Distiller, Shane Fraser, using low and slow distilling methods. Come and see our Forsyths stills in Wassaic, NY, and judge our work for yourself.