Today, Talking Bourbon is sampling a glass, or two, of Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey. Started in 2017, and more known for their whiskeys, Nearest Green Distillery is Tennessee-based and African American owned and operated. The story behind the name, from their website, “Uncle Nearest was a former slave whose given name was Nathen Green, some wrongly insisted his name was Nearest, but there was little debate as to his incomparable whiskey-making skills.” Also, “Many claim he perfected what became known as The Lincoln County Process where whiskey is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before aging in charred oak barrels, a process that defines Tennessee whiskey.” There is even an urban legend that he taught Jack Daniels the process.
Uncle Nearest Straight Rye is 100 proof, aged a minimum of 4 years, sells for around $50, is widely available, and comes in a tall squared-off corked bottle. The mash bill is 100% rye, and while that is becoming a little more popular, we still don’t see it that often.
Neither of us has tasted anything from Nearest Green, or if we have, we don’t remember doing so, which is totally possible. We really want to like this stuff because of the back story. But as any reader of ours would know, we cannot stand Jack Daniels. So, here’s hoping that this juice tastes nothing like Jack, or that the urban legend is not true.
NOSE
Todd: Definitely get the rye, but that is not all, strong aromas of black fruit and caramel are there along with the spicy rye. Coming in behind all that is pepper, toffee, and raisin.
Matt: Great nose, an excellent first impression with strong rye and apple scents followed by cinnamon, hickory, bread, and leather.
TASTE
Todd: The rye is still prominent, while the black fruit is now dark cherries, and the caramel has morphed into brown sugar. Secondary tastes include grain, cocoa, and a nutty oaky flavor.
Matt: The spicey rye stands out above all else, it is followed by a lot. Chocolate, cinnamon, leather, cherries, apple, caramel, and brown sugar.
FINISH
Todd: Medium long and the rye turns from spicey to sweet.
Matt: Medium, sweet with a touch of spice.
OVERALL
Todd: Good whiskey, good price, good story.
Matt: I really enjoyed this, nose was a great start and the taste blew me away. I will keep a bottle in my collection.
Nose 4.75 out of 5
Taste 9.25 out of 10
Finish 4 out of 5
Total score 18 out of 20 barrels.
Well, needless to say, urban legends be damned, this stuff is not Jack Daniels, because Uncle Nearest Rye is a hit. If he taught Jack the process, then Jack was a poor student. This is a very good rye with multiple aromas and tastes. The score would be even higher if the finish was slightly longer or more complex. And while that held back the score a bit, it did not hold back or appreciation of this rye.
Final verdict, we highly recommend you get a bottle of Uncle Nearest Straight Rye. The story is really cool, and the price doesn’t break the bank, in fact, for what you get, it seemed almost too inexpensive. We enjoyed our glass, or two, hell maybe three, and as long as you are a rye drinker, we think you will too.