Due to the rapid growth and overwhelming success of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, expanding from one state to all 50 states and 12 countries within the first two years, as well as becoming the most award-winning American whiskey (which, of course, includes bourbon) of 2019 and 2020, many have speculated our company is owned by one of the big guys. But as our owner, Fawn Weaver, loves to say, “The only ‘big guy’ behind this brand is my 6’ 4” husband, Keith.”
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and Nearest Green Distillery are owned by Uncle Nearest, Inc. Uncle Nearest, Inc. is owned by Grant Sidney, Inc. Grant Sidney, Inc. is wholly owned by Fawn Weaver.
MORE ABOUT OUR FOUNDER AND CEO, FAWN WEAVER
Fawn Weaver has been a serial entrepreneur for more than 25 years. As the CEO and founder of Grant Sidney, Inc. (GSI), a privately held investment company, Weaver has often been active in her investments, serving in leadership capacities behind the scenes. Weaver is a popular TED speaker, as well as a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author who has appeared on 100s of popular radio, morning and television talk shows across the US, including FOX Business, the TODAY Show, New York Times, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, CNBC, Fast Company, Oprah Magazine, Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. She is a regular contributor to Inc. Magazine and has been interviewed by top shows in Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Italy, Belgium, Australia, Ireland, Australia, Poland, Spain and New Zealand on topics ranging from accelerating growth in business without losing your soul to creating a happy balance between work and family.
Weaver serves as the CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, a company she founded in 2016, which sits under the Grant Sidney umbrella. Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in U.S. history, the best-selling African American founded spirit brand of all time, and was the most award-winning American whiskey (including bourbon) of 2019 and 2020, earning World’s Best by Whisky Magazine two years in a row, as well as the industry coveted Double Gold by San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Wine Enthusiast’s Spirit Brand of the Year for 2020. To-date, Uncle Nearest is the Most Awarded American Whiskey of 2021, with the next closest brand being a very distant second.
In March 2021, Weaver was named to the Endeavor Group Holdings board of directors, alongside Elon Musk. She was simultaneously appointed to serve on its audit committee. Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, WME and IMG, is a publicly-traded entertainment and content company listed on the NYSE and valued at $10 billion. Weaver is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), a global leadership community of 29,000 of the most successful young CEOs in the world, contributing $9 trillion USD in annual revenue.
Weaver launched her first company, a public relations and special events firm, in 1996. In addition to her firm, from 1998-2003, she served as Partner and Business Manager for G. Garvin’s LLC, operator of G. Garvin’s Restaurant (named one of the Top 10 New Restaurants by Los Angeles Magazine). Weaver developed the business plan, secured development and operational funding, and was business manager for the first four years.
Taking a six-year break from entrepreneurialism, to learn what it was like to be the employee rather than the employer, Weaver held a variety of positions in the hospitality sector. She worked as the head of special events and catering for the world-famous Viceroy Hotels and as a General Manager for Dimension Development Co., the operator of more than 50 Marriott and Hilton brand hotels throughout the US. The experience profoundly changed how Weaver invests and manages, focusing on a team-first organization in which she often serves as Chief Encouragement Officer, above all else.
Weaver is the founder of the Nearest Green Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers full scholarships to every descendant of Nearest Green, the world’s first known African-American master distiller. Through their Operation Brother’s Keeper initiative, the Foundation supplied more than 300,000 N-95 and cloth masks to workers on the frontline and people in disadvantaged communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, in response to the BLM movement, the Foundation formed an alliance with Jack Daniel Distillery to create the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative, to elevate people of color within the American whiskey industry and to greatly increase diversity in the spirits industry overall. She formerly served on the executive boards of MEND Poverty and Slavery No More.
FAQs
But as our owner, Fawn Weaver, loves to say, “The only 'big guy' behind this brand is my 6' 4” husband, Keith.” Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and Nearest Green Distillery are owned by Uncle Nearest, Inc. Uncle Nearest, Inc. is owned by Grant Sidney, Inc. Grant Sidney, Inc. is wholly owned by Fawn Weaver.
Is Uncle Nearest a black owned whiskey brand? ›
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world's first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. It was the first spirits brand in the world to be named after a Black American. The portfolio is the Most Awarded Bourbon and American Whiskey of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
What distillery makes Uncle's nearest whiskey? ›
Nearest Green Distillery - Most Awarded American Whiskey Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey – 100 Proof from Tennessee. Every bit of our 458-acre, four-phase, $50 million build-out, is a master class in storytelling and history-making.
Who are the investors in Uncle Nearest whiskey? ›
Strand Equity, CB3 Holdings, Mosaic General Partnership, Still Capital Partners, and Fisher Capital Investments have invested in Uncle Nearest.
Who is the owner of Tennessee whiskey? ›
There are two major producers of Tennessee whiskey, Jack Daniel's based in Lynchburg (owned by the Louisville, Kentucky-based Brown-Forman) and George Dickel based in Cascade Hollow near Tullahoma (owned by the London-based Diageo), as well as numerous locally based producers throughout the state.
Is Uncle Nearest whiskey owned by Jack Daniels? ›
Uncle Nearest, Inc. is owned by Grant Sidney, Inc. Grant Sidney, Inc. is wholly owned by Fawn Weaver.
What whiskey is owned by a Black woman? ›
Black Woman-Owned Whiskey Brand 'Uncle Nearest' Acquires Organic Spirits Company. Fawn Weaver's Uncle Nearest brand is gearing up to add 'Square One' Organics to its business portfolio. Uncle Nearest is expanding its global imprint on the spirits industry with a new addition to its business portfolio.
Who is the CEO of Uncle Nearest whiskey? ›
Uncle Nearest Executive Team
- CEO & Founder. Fawn Weaver.
- Chief Business Officer. Katharine Jerkens.
- Master Blender. Victoria Eady Butler.
In order to be a candidate for our Uncle Nearest 1820, the whiskey must be aged a minimum of 11 years, with a cask strength above 108, and each one is hand-picked by our founders and approved by a panel of whiskey industry professionals. These barrels are exceptionally rare and the whiskey is worth the wait.
How much is an uncle's nearest worth? ›
Founded by CEO Fawn Weaver, the company is expanding into cognac and announced in December that its most recent capital raise for its forthcoming French subsidiary was oversubscribed. That brings Weaver's total capital raised since Uncle Nearest's inception to $220 million, valuing the company at $900 million.
Uncle Nearest is not publicly traded on NYSE or NASDAQ in the U.S. To buy Uncle Nearest's stock you need to be an accredited investor. Learn more about how to invest in the private market or register today to get started.
What whiskey does Buffalo Trace own? ›
Purchasing at Buffalo Trace Distillery
Our license allows us to sell a portion of our award-winning bourbon portfolio in the Distillery Gift Shop including Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch, Blanton's Single Barrel, Sazerac Rye, and W.L. Weller Special Reserve.
Who is the godfather of Tennessee whiskey? ›
Known as the “Godfather of Tennessee Whiskey,” Nearest Green was the world's first known African American master distiller.
What family owns Jack Daniel's? ›
Jack Daniel's is a brand of Tennessee whiskey. It is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee, by the Jack Daniel Distillery, which has been owned by the Brown–Forman Corporation since 1956.
What whiskey was made by a black man? ›
Arguably the most famous American whiskey brand owes its iconic taste to a Black man: Nathan Nearest Green, also known as Uncle Nearest. "He was the master distiller on the property of a Lutheran pastor in Shelbyville, Tennessee," Ramos said.
Is Uncle Nearest 1884 Black-owned? ›
Launched in 2017, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is now the top-selling Black-owned spirits brand globally as measured by sales and among the fastest-growing American whiskey companies. It stands in stark contrast to the 10 highest-earning whiskey companies in the U.S., all of which are led by white men.
What is the best Black-owned whiskey brand? ›
Leading the pack is Uncle Nearest, the award-winning Tennessee whiskey brand that honors the first-known African American distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green. Seven years after launching, Uncle Nearest is now valued at $900 million.
What whiskey was created by a black man? ›
Arguably the most famous American whiskey brand owes its iconic taste to a Black man: Nathan Nearest Green, also known as Uncle Nearest. "He was the master distiller on the property of a Lutheran pastor in Shelbyville, Tennessee," Ramos said.
Is there any Black-owned liquor brands? ›
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Created to honor Nearest Green — the former enslaved Black man who mentored Jack Daniel — Uncle Nearest is now also the fastest-growing whiskey brand in U.S. history and the top selling Black-owned and founded spirit brand of all time.
