Uncle Nearest 1856 is the premium Tennessee whiskey with a good story, and my Uncle Nearest 1856 review has to say the whiskey backs it up. It’s rich, smooth and very well made.
What is Uncle Nearest 1856?
It’s made in Tennessee, and the brand is named after Nathan “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man who is credited as the master distiller who taught Jack Daniel. The brand was founded by Fawn Weaver, and the distillery is in Shelbyville. The 1856 is a premium aged whiskey, bottled at 50%, aged in new charred American oak.
The story is a powerful one, and the whiskey doesn’t need it.
Uncle Nearest 1856 tasting notes: nose, palate and finish
Caramel, vanilla and baking spice on the nose, with some oak, a hint of fruit and a bit of maple. It’s rich and warm.
On the palate it’s smooth and full-bodied, with caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, oak and a gentle sweetness. The finish is long, warm and a little spicy. It’s well-balanced and mature, with real depth.
Uncle Nearest 1856: neat, with water or in a drink
A little water opens it up, and a cube of ice calms it down. It’s a lovely sipper, and it makes a very good Old Fashioned if you’re feeling generous.
Is Uncle Nearest 1856 worth the money?
About £66 for 70 cl. That’s a lot for a Tennessee whiskey, though at 50% with this much quality, it’s fair. You’re paying for a well-made, well-told product. Shop prices for Uncle Nearest 1856 vary, so look at the retailer link on this page rather than trusting my number to the penny.
Uncle Nearest 1856 alternatives
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select is the better-known Tennessee option, George Dickel No. 12 is a cheaper alternative, and Eagle Rare 10 is a Kentucky rival.
Who should buy Uncle Nearest 1856?
People who like rich, full-bodied Tennessee whiskey, and anyone who values a good story.
Uncle Nearest 1856: my verdict
A rich, smooth, mature Tennessee whiskey with a great story behind it. Pricey, but very good. Caskable score: 80 out of 100.
Caramel, vanilla and baking spice, with oak, a hint of fruit and maple.
Smooth and full-bodied, with caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, oak and gentle sweetness.
Long, warm and a little spicy.
A rich, smooth, mature Tennessee whiskey with a great story behind it.
Thomas Grønvold is the founder of Caskable and a whisky enthusiast who believes the best way to learn about whisky is simply to drink it, compare it, and stay curious. From supermarket favourites to bottles from distilleries around the world, he writes about what he actually tastes and experiences, without pretending you need to be an expert to enjoy a good dram.
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