Historic Neirs Tavern announced today it has been selected as the official Queens launch event of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the most talked about new whiskey brand in the U.S. Inspired by the best whiskey-maker the world never knew, Nearest Green.The premium whiskey has already won 11 awards in 11 months including the coveted gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits and named one of the Top 5 Whiskies in the World by Cigar & Spirits Magazine.
The event will take place place on August 16th, 2018, from 6pm-8pm and is being hosted by the team at Neirs Tavern, 87-48 78th street in Woodhaven. The event will offer free whiskey tastings, a signature whiskey gift basket raffle and specialty cocktail tastings for all in attendance. Walk-ins are accepted but guests are encouraged to get a free ticket at Event Brite.
Nathan Nearest Green, known by those in his hometown of Lynchburg, Tenn., as Uncle Nearest, was a former enslaved man and the first African-American master distiller on record in the United States. He is thought to have helped perfect the Lincoln County Process, a special charcoal filtering method required to be considered Tennessee Whiskey, named after the county in which Nearest lived and made whiskey. Not only is he credited with teaching Jack Daniel the whiskey-making process that made him famous, but he has now been credited as the first master distiller for Jack Daniel’s.
The organizers are hoping this event officially brings two historic brand stories together that reflects the many untold stories of so many others that have gone unrecognized. Together, Uncle Nearest and Neirs Tavern have over 350 years of American history and are both working to regain their significance and rightful place in the fabric of history to bring attention to others that are just as deserving of their own recognition.
“This is bigger than race. Uncle Nearest is the story of Neirs Tavern, Queens and many of the great places and people, like us, that haven’t recived the recognition we deserve,” says Loycent Gordon, owner of Historic Neirs Tavern.
A local Neirs supporter, Robert Stridiron, made the introduction because of the striking similarities between the two brands. “I’ve been coming to Neirs my whole life. My uncle used to bartend here before he died. We’ve all been waiting for this. I can’t wait,” said Stridiron.
Green is also thought to have helped perfect the Lincoln County Process, a special charcoal filtering method required to be considered Tennessee Whiskey, named after the county in which he lived and made whiskey.
Author Fawn Weaver launched the Nearest Green Foundation to commemorate Green. It is responsible for a new museum, memorial park, and book about his life. In addition, the Foundation has established college scholarships for his descendants.
In August 2017, the Brown-Forman Corporation, which owns the Jack Daniel’s Distillery and brand, officially recognized Green as their first head stiller (now called a master distiller), adding him to their website. In October 2017, they added his legacy to their tours.
The love, kindness, and respect Jack and Nearest showed toward one another when they were alive, that continued through their immediate descendants, I believe is a lesson for each and every one of us. – By Fawn Weaver founder of the Nearest Green Foundation
For more information go to Neirs Tavern website.
For more information go to Uncle Nearest website.
Photo credit: Nathan “Nearest” Green and the new whiskey named after him..
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