Haderah Phillips Blog Post: Whiskey, History, and the Echoes of legacy at Uncle Nearest

Whiskey, History, and the Echoes of legacy at Uncle Nearest 

    Visiting the Uncle Nearest Distillery was more than a retreat; it was an immersion into a narrative layered with history, resilience, and the complexities of the south. Reading “Love & Whiskey” by Fawn Weaver prepared me for the story of Nearest Green, but being on-site, walking the grounds where his legacy is not just remembered but actively celebrated, added an incomparable dimension. The distillery stands as a testament to reclaiming a history long overshadowed; a tangible connection to the black roots of Tennessee whiskey. Traveling from Atlanta, a city with its own deep history of civil rights and struggles, to the distillery, highlighted the ongoing dialogue between past and present. The trip revealed how the impact of slavery and Jim Crow tried to diminish and hide the many achievements African American, but through any hardships ever thrown at us, as a community, we overcame the adversity. A place like Uncle Nearest reclaims a narrative of Black excellence and innovation. It’s a testament to the idea that Blackness is not just defined by struggle but also by resilience and intelligence. 

The concept of succeeding “through something that delights even as it wounds” struck a connection particularly in the context of alcohol and its complex relationship with society. Uncle Nearest story embodies a celebration of Black entrepreneurship and historical and acknowledgement within an industry historically marked by exploitation. Reflecting on when entrepreneurship crosses into responsibility, I considered the distillery’s role in not just selling whiskey but also educating visitors about enterprise into a site of historical education and cultural pride, demonstrating a commitment to shedding light on untold stories alongside business success. We must destroy the false narrative built against us, to rebuild our story because if we rely on someone else to tell our story, it will never be told in the right context.

    Stepping outside the classroom into a setting like the Uncle Nearest Distillery provided a deeper thinking kind of learning. It was an invitation to move beyond academic ideas and into a space of real experience. “Freedom Dreams” by Robin D.G Kelly reminds us that true liberation begins with the imagination. This retreat was an act of imaginative engagement, allowing us to see how historical dreams of justice, success, and reclamation can be made real. This experience challenged me to see myself differently: as an honors student, my role is not just to absorb knowledge but to actively seek out connections to the real world. Being part of this community, sharing this journey with my honors sisters, also highlights my role in a larger story, one of collective learning and growth. The shared experience of being on the land of Uncle Nearest Distillery, of listening to the tour guides explain the history and meaning behind everything at the distillery, and most importantly hearing Keith Weaver express all the hard work and dedication it took for him and Fawn Weaver to achieve the vast accomplishments they have today, fostered a deeper understanding of what it means to be a part of a community committed to linking reading to lived experience. Keith Weaver even mentioned ‘they are still expanding their estate, because there is always room for improvement and growth, so if we ever have the chance to visit again, there will be new things to see that were not there during our first visit.’

    Furthermore, the “Tennessee Flower War” story the tour guide explained to us, and the phrase, “Don’t go through the easy route,” resonate here, reminding me that the most valuable lessons are often found on the path less traveled. Overall, the statement that stuck with me the most is when Keith Weaver stated, “Most people think failure has a period at the end but it’s just a comma.” This retreat was a comma in my own academic journey, signaling a pause for reflection and a forward motion toward a deeper engagement with the world, most importantly, it is essential for me to always do my own research and to not take information at  face value because knowledge is only power when applied. Nearest Green Distillery is a prime example of transforming knowledge into power which leads to inspiring experiences and success. 

-Haderah Phillips 

Image 1: Love Story Evidence (legacy)

 

Image 2: Complication or Tension (unresolved histories) 

Image 3: Brand vs. History (marketing overlaps with history.) 

-Haderah Philllips