Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel

A little background

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey takes it name from the African American master distiller, Nathan Green, who is said to be responsible for teaching Jack Daniels how to make whiskey.  While their distillery is being built, Uncle Nearest has sourced whiskey from a prominent Tennessee distillery (cough, cough Dickel). 1820 is a Single Barrel product that comes with an 11-year age statement. This review was based on a sample from Barrel No. US-1 that was bottled 115.1 proof. Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel has a retail price of around $120.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn.)

Color

Medium Copper

Nose

Medley of berries…raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry.  Almond butter and hazelnut.  

Palate

A sticky caramel sweetness dominates with an underlying oaky vanilla.  Just the slightest of baking spices nutmeg and ginger appear under an overarching minerality. 

Finish

Despite the sticky nature of the palate the finish fades quickly with a heavy dose of mixed nuts and the continuation of the chalky minerality. 

In closing

Here is something I must get off my chest: even though sourcing whiskey these days isn’t cheap, it is important for new labels to realize that not every product is a “Premium” product (even if it’s in the name) and shouldn’t be priced as such.  So, with that said, $120 for 11yr GeorgenDickel bourbon is simply too much for what is a quintessential Dickel flavor profile; especially given the fact that Dickel themselves released a 13yr Bottled in Bond for around $40. If you are a Dickel fan and itching for a new bottle it is hard for me to suggest purchasing this over the much more appropriately priced Dickel Bottled in Bond.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Uncle Nearest.  We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review their great whiskey!