Byron's Babbles

I left off yesterday at the end of “In Love With Justice, Part II” with my visits to the cemeteries in Lynchburg, Tennessee to honor the Green’s and Jack Daniel. After that I made the short drive up to Shelbyville, Tennessee to make my second visit, in as many weeks, to Nearest Green Distillery. I needed to complete my day that started at the Dan Call Farm (where it all began), eating lunch at Barrelhouse BBQ, touring Jack Daniel’s Distillery, visiting the two Lynchburg Cemeteries, and now the distillery Fawn Weaver co-founded. I want to remind you all my interest began back in 2019 when a mixologist used Uncle Nearest Tennessee Whiskey and first told me the story of Nearest Green. Fawn Weaver’s well written and incredible book, Love & Whiskey did the rest. I was hooked, and my madness love of learning took over.

Wow! As I reflect on the journey of those pictures I just shared with you; what a day. As I entered Nearest Green Distillery I was once again struck by the mill stone that was recovered on the Dan Call Farm. To stand next to this archive that Uncle Nearest and Jack Daniel had used side by side to grind the grains used to make whiskey was very sobering (pun intended).

Here was a distillery co-founded by two Black Americans, Fawn and Keith Weaver, to honor the legacy of an enslaved man who was now recognized as the first African American master distiller – Uncle Nearest Green. By establishing Nearest Green’s story and creating a business that honors his craftsmanship and innovation, the Weavers are fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for diversity in the spirits industry. Their efforts serve to educate the public about the rich heritage and ongoing impact of African Americans in whiskey production, making Nearest Green Distillery a symbol of empowerment and recognition in a traditionally homogenous field.

On the distillery tour we were taken into a hidden speakeasy, honoring Fawn’s parents, the temperance movement and the women’s suffrage movement. The floor boards have quotes from incredible black women like, Ida B. Wells (see photo). I loved this and had to find Ida’s quote because I have always loved and been inspired by her having said, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” Can you imagine how wonderful the world would be if we all practiced this. Fawn Weaver modeled and continues to model this for us by what she has done to shine the light of truth on the story of Nearest Green. A story that wasn’t forgotten, but intentionally not told, and intentionally kept from being told.

All I can say is, go to Shelbyville, Tennessee and take the tour. For me it was the ultimate history lesson. In “In Love With Justice, Part I” I mentioned that I believe every high school student should read Fawn’s book. I’ve already taken some criticism over wanting students to read a book about whiskey. That’s okay, I’ll take that criticism because the book really isn’t about whiskey, it is about Uncle Nearest Green’s place and incredible contributions in our country’s history and Fawn Weaver’s love for Justice. Fawn, through her incredible leadership prowess, has modeled the Cardinal Virtue of Justice by practicing the traits of justice that I believe to be vulnerability, humility, integrity, and fairness. I wish every young person (particularly young women of color) could have Fawn Weaver as a mentor that looks just like them to help them understand anything is possible.

There is so much I’ve left out, that if you read Love & Whiskey, you will learn. There is so much more like financial support in the form of scholarships to Green family members and mentorship programs to aspiring Black distillers and entrepreneurs in the spirits industry, helping them to navigate the challenges of starting their own businesses. I’ll leave you this link to the great video, The Story of Nearest Green.