I enjoyed the first batch of the Uncle Nearest 1856, though I do have to say that subsequent batches haven’t had the same profile as that initial release. I’ve tried it at events and friends’ homes and the current releases are distinctly missing the roasted sesame quality I loved. Good thing I still have a little bit of it left 😃… but that’s not what we’re here to talk about. Today we’re talking about the Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel Whiskey!
The release I have is number 1 and there have been 3 more since this making the most recent one US-4. It’s a single barrel, available exclusively online, which they call that out on the label, but looking at the label, and others I found online, there is one term that’s missing: straight.
I assume it’s a straight whiskey being that it’s a single barrel, but it would be great if they’d put that somewhere on the label to let us know… or disclose if it’s not. Anyways, on to the Tennessee Whiskey review.
Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel Whiskey Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Uncle Nearest’s Words:
Did you know that less than 1% of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey barrels will ever be selected as single barrels? 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.
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Tennessee, USA
Distiller: Undisclosed (but I’m pretty sure it’s George Dickel)
Mash Bill: 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 11 Years
ABV: 57.6%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Barrel: US-1
Price: $120*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Ruddy caramel
NOSE
Oak and sweet corn dominate with notes of dark fruit, char, cocoa, baking spice and touches of chalk and vanilla.
PALATE
Shifts gears to be darkly fruity and oak with supporting notes of dried corn, toffee, complex spice, cocoa and some leather and char.
FINISH
Long -> Dark fruit, oak, spice and leather.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, full round body and a rich oily feel.
Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel Whiskey Review: Overall and Score
Depth and elegant delivery are both found here. The Aroma screams George Dickel to me with that corn and oak combining in a slightly musty, but still grainy sweet way; Palate also shouts GD but with the chewier dark fruit style found in older Dickel; Finish is a long pleasant fade that combines all the best notes.
This Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel Whiskey is right up there with some of the best Dickel Single Barrels I’ve had. It’s a truly tasty release that would send any Dickel fan rushing for a second glass. With NDP releases like this, and others, it’s a good time to be a Dickel fan, because even if it doesn’t carry the name, there is a lot of really good GD floating around the market these days.
SCORE: 90/100 (A-)
*Disclosure: This Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel Whiskey sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel Whiskey Review Summary
Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel Whiskey is an excellent sourced Tennessee Whiskey, aged for 11 years and very… very good.
- Nose - 91
- Palate - 90
- Finish - 89
- Balance, Body & Feel - 90
User Review
3.06 (51 votes)
Comments Rating 5 (3 reviews)
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FAQs
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.
Is Uncle Nearest strong? ›
Details: 60.5% ABV.
How old is Uncle's nearest single barrel? ›
The Uncle Nearest brand, wholly owned by Uncle Nearest, Inc., an all minority-led business, encompasses a premium aged whiskey with a blend of 8- to 14- year old, an 11-year-old minimum age single barrel, and a 7-year-old small batch offering, all mellowed using the Lincoln County Process, a unique filtering of bourbon ...
Which Uncle Nearest is hard to find? ›
The 1820 is the hardest to come by and thus the most coveted, the 1856 is the most common, and the other is 1884. Each marks a significant year in Nearest's life. The 1856 is perhaps the most divisive.
What is the oldest rarest whiskey? ›
Macallan “The Reach” 1940: This is considered to be the oldest whiskey in terms of time spent aging in the cask. It was aged for 81 years before bottling, and the first one in the collection sold for $340,000 at a 2022 Sotheby's auction.
Is Uncle Nearest a black owned company? ›
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.
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.
Is Uncle Nearest considered bourbon? ›
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's the story behind Uncle's nearest whiskey? ›
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is a brand of Tennessee whiskey produced by Uncle Nearest, Inc., headquartered in Shelbyville, Tennessee, United States. The whiskey is named after the formerly enslaved man, Nathan "Nearest" Green, who taught a young Jack Daniel the craft of distilling.
What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey? ›
Whiskey is a general term for an alcoholic liquor made from fermented mashed grains. Bourbon is the term for a whiskey made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn. Bourbon was traditionally made in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and most bourbon is still produced in the state of Kentucky.
Months ago, I asked him to chronicle his experience at Uncle Nearest's Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He politely accepted and even took pictures of his trip.
Which whisky is expensive? ›
The Yamazaki 55-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky:
In 2022, this Japanese single malt whisky, the priciest bottle in Japan, sold for a staggering $780,000 (over Rs. 6 crores), earning the title of the most expensive Japanese whisky in the world.
What is considered rare whiskey? ›
Rarity is another defining characteristic of old and rare whisky. Factors such as limited production runs, the closing of a distillery, or exceptional quality harvests contribute to the scarcity of certain bottles, making them highly prized.
What is rare character whiskey? ›
Rare Character Whiskey is a purveyor of fine American whiskey, focused on unique selections tailored to each of our customers and partners. Through special relationships with top distillers across the country, Rare Character has exclusive access to expressions that have never been released to the public.
How many awards has Uncle Nearest won? ›
Uncle Nearest has earned 715 gold medals or higher, of which 123 are Best in Class honors, including Spirit Brand of the Year from Wine Enthusiast, two Chairman's Trophies from Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Whisky of the Year from USA Spirits Ratings, the Master Medal from American Whiskey Masters, and three “World's ...
What kind of whiskey is rich and rare? ›
Rich & Rare Reserve is an impeccable blended whisky, blended by renowned Master Blender, Drew Mayville of the Sazerac Company. Its unique marriage of smooth and spicy flavors make for a great whisky on ice or in mixed drinks. Smooth, yet spicy whisky perfect for any occasion.
