Uncle “Nearest” Green was the first African-American master distiller and the man that taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. His story is a great one and if we had the space we’d tell it here (see nearestgreen.com). 1856 is Uncle Nearest’s flagship whiskey. Bottled at 100 proof, it shows off the true character of Tennessee Whiskey and the impact of maple charcoal filtration, a process that Nearest invented. Legacy. We taste maple syrup, Raisin Bran, and a burnt marshmallow