Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey

Product Description

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey: The Whiskey That Started the Story

Uncle Nearest 1856 is the inaugural whiskey from Uncle Nearest, the brand that honors Nathan “Nearest” Green, the first known African American master distiller. Green was an enslaved man in Tennessee who taught Jack Daniel the craft of whiskey-making, and Jack Daniel’s itself recognizes him as its first master distiller. The brand calls itself the first spirits brand in the world named after a Black American, and it has won a long list of awards. The 1856 is its flagship, bottled at 100 proof, and the brand says it’s astonishingly smooth.

The number refers to the year the founder’s research suggests Green was perfecting the Lincoln County Process, the charcoal mellowing method that defines Tennessee whiskey today. The whiskey is a deliberate tribute to that moment: a bolder, higher proof pour than most Tennessee whiskeys, with the smoothness the style is known for.

How Uncle Nearest 1856 Is Made

Uncle Nearest 1856 is a blend of premium aged whiskeys between 8 and 14 years old. Like all Tennessee whiskey, it is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before aging, and it is matured in charred oak barrels. The blend is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), a strength the brand chose to echo what Green’s whiskey was known for. It’s a deep, caramel-colored whiskey with a golden hue.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A complex nose of maple, vanilla, cherries, black pepper, almond cookies, dried straw, and coconut pudding.

Palate: Pleasantly spicy, complemented by caramel and brown sugar, marzipan, chocolate-covered cherries, and crème brûlée with a touch of coconut.

Finish: Long and rich, with a lingering flavor of spiced honey.

Food Pairings

The maple, cherry, and caramel in Uncle Nearest 1856 pair well with smoked ribs, glazed ham, and fried chicken. It also goes well with dark chocolate, cherry pie, pecan pie, and crème brûlée, and its spice stands up to aged cheddar or a good cigar.

Serving Suggestions

At 100 proof, Uncle Nearest 1856 is best sipped neat or with a few drops of water, so the maple and almond cookie notes open up. A large ice cube also works. It makes a rich Old Fashioned or Manhattan, where the proof holds up against bitters and vermouth, and the brand recommends it in your favorite whiskey cocktail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What proof is Uncle Nearest 1856? 100 proof (50% ABV).

How old is it? It’s a blend of whiskeys aged between 8 and 14 years.

What does 1856 mean? It’s the year the brand’s research points to Nearest Green perfecting the Lincoln County charcoal-mellowing process.

Is it a Tennessee whiskey? Yes. It’s maple charcoal filtered and aged in charred oak.

How is it different from the 1884? The 1856 is older (8 to 14 years), bolder at 100 proof, and more complex. The 1884 is lighter and easier at 93 proof.

Is it good neat? Yes. It’s built for sipping, neat or on the rocks.

Who was Nearest Green? The first known African American master distiller, who taught Jack Daniel the craft.

Explore More

Want to compare it? Try the Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, or save with the Uncle Nearest 1856 & 1884 Whiskey Combo. For something special, check out the Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey, or shop the full Uncle Nearest collection.

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