Review: Uncle Nearest Lost Chapter 1 – 777 Anniversary Blend
Since its launch in 2017, Uncle Nearest has been a brand quick to embrace and highlight American whiskey history. After all, the name itself pays tribute to Nearest Green, whose 7th-generation descendant Fawn Weaver founded the brand amidst a remarkable American whiskey boom.
The Tennessee-based operation’s latest line of limited releases has a dual purpose, highlighting both the brand’s sourcing/blending prowess and Weaver’s book, Love & Whiskey. Buyers of “Lost Chapter Series” whiskey will get digital access to unreleased chapters of Weaver’s book — a clever bottle-to-page tie-in if there ever was one.
The first in the Lost Chapter Series is titled the 777 Anniversary blend, a 7 year-old barrel strength whiskey that commemorates Uncle Nearest’s 7 year anniversary. Selected by Master Distiller Victoria Eady Butler, the release comprises 7,000 total bottles, ranging in proofs from 110 to 120-plus.
It’s worth noting we don’t know the specific source of this whiskey (the brand has sourced distillate from multiple distilleries), though we do know it’s a Tennessee whiskey. (Interestingly, the distillery’s social media posts refer to it as both a bourbon and Tennessee whiskey — a technically correct assertion many companies are still slow to acknowledge.)
The sample we tried clocked in at 121.7 proof and was from Batch 007. Let’s see how it tastes!
The nose begins a little muted, and I don’t pick up much ethanol at first, especially given the proof. A little more time brings some very light salted caramel, along with light toasted oak, creme brûlée, and banana pudding. That last note isn’t quite as pronounced as with some other Tennessee whiskey (I’m looking at you, Jack), but it certainly adds a bit of body and character to a nose that gets sweeter with time. Suddenly, dried apricot takes hold. It’s a little more tannic thanks to some continued oak influence, but apricot ultimately flies as the most standout aroma here.
Minerality hits early on the palate, along with a creamy mouthfeel and roasted nuts. (Creamy peanut butter, anyone?) Fruit folds in next, specifically dried mango, giving the first couple sips a fascinating one-two punch of nuts and tropical fruit. The midpalate welcomes some telltale oak tannins, lightly astringent in the realm of leather and black tea more than tobacco. After some acclimation, most sips go from viscous/nutty to fruity and then gradually more tannic toward the back of the palate. Oak truly rears its head on medium length, woody finish. That’s coupled with the residual taste of cinnamon baked apples and dark caramel candy.
121.7 proof as sampled – Batch #7.
B+ / $139 / unclenearest.com
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