What do you think?
Rate this book
Love & Whiskey
Embark on a captivating journey with Love & Whiskey. New York Times bestselling author Fawn Weaver unveils the hidden narrative behind one of America’s most iconic whiskey brands. This book is a vibrant exploration set in the present day, delving into the life and legacy of Nearest Green, the African American distilling genius who played a pivotal role in the creation of the whiskey that bears Jack Daniel's name.
Set against the backdrop of Lynchburg, Tennessee, this narrative weaves together a thrilling blend of personal discovery, historical investigation, and the revelation of a story long overshadowed by time. Through extensive research, personal interviews, and the uncovering of long-buried documents, Weaver brings to light not only the remarkable bond between Nearest Green and Jack Daniel but also Daniel’s concerted efforts during his lifetime to ensure Green’s legacy would not be forgotten. This deep respect for his teacher, mentor, and friend was mirrored in Jack's dedication to ensuring that the stories and achievements of Nearest Green's descendants, who continued the tradition of working side by side with Jack and his descendants, would also not be forgotten.
Love & Whiskey is more than just a recounting of historical facts; it's a live journey into the heart of storytelling, where every discovery adds a layer to the rich tapestry of American history. Weaver's pursuit highlights the importance of acknowledging those who have shaped our cultural landscape; yet remained in the shadows.
Set against the backdrop of Lynchburg, Tennessee, this narrative weaves together a thrilling blend of personal discovery, historical investigation, and the revelation of a story long overshadowed by time. Through extensive research, personal interviews, and the uncovering of long-buried documents, Weaver brings to light not only the remarkable bond between Nearest Green and Jack Daniel but also Daniel’s concerted efforts during his lifetime to ensure Green’s legacy would not be forgotten. This deep respect for his teacher, mentor, and friend was mirrored in Jack's dedication to ensuring that the stories and achievements of Nearest Green's descendants, who continued the tradition of working side by side with Jack and his descendants, would also not be forgotten.
Love & Whiskey is more than just a recounting of historical facts; it's a live journey into the heart of storytelling, where every discovery adds a layer to the rich tapestry of American history. Weaver's pursuit highlights the importance of acknowledging those who have shaped our cultural landscape; yet remained in the shadows.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2024
441 people are currently reading
3397 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 383 reviews
September 18, 2024
Misrepresented Story
Love the author’s ambition and desire to honor Nearest Green, but I felt like the story was more about the author and how she started a business that capitalized on Nearest’s memory as opposed to telling his tale and offering novel insights into his relationship with Jack. My opinion is that her business interest damaged the credibility of her historical research and introduced potential confirmation bias. I genuinely wanted to learn more about Nearest, but felt like the book was more about a lesson in entrepreneurship and the importance of DEI in an industry dominated by white males. That’s 100 percent an important message that I support and I’ll definitely buy / drink the whiskey in Nearest’s honor, but the story is not a good historical read.
Love the author’s ambition and desire to honor Nearest Green, but I felt like the story was more about the author and how she started a business that capitalized on Nearest’s memory as opposed to telling his tale and offering novel insights into his relationship with Jack. My opinion is that her business interest damaged the credibility of her historical research and introduced potential confirmation bias. I genuinely wanted to learn more about Nearest, but felt like the book was more about a lesson in entrepreneurship and the importance of DEI in an industry dominated by white males. That’s 100 percent an important message that I support and I’ll definitely buy / drink the whiskey in Nearest’s honor, but the story is not a good historical read.
December 7, 2025
This book is a labor of love by the author, Fawn Weaver. It starts out to better understand more information about Nearest Green, the Black distiller of Jack Daniels. Weaver travels to Lynchburg to interview hundreds of people and to trace the families of Nearest Green.
Weaver ends up purchasing the land where the original distillery was located and creating a whiskey distillery in honor of Nearest Green. I plan on purchasing the whiskey to taste it and raise a glass to Nearest.
At times, the pace of the book is slower than I prefer, and the story arc tends to lean more towards Weaver's personal story than the journey about Nearest.
Weaver ends up purchasing the land where the original distillery was located and creating a whiskey distillery in honor of Nearest Green. I plan on purchasing the whiskey to taste it and raise a glass to Nearest.
At times, the pace of the book is slower than I prefer, and the story arc tends to lean more towards Weaver's personal story than the journey about Nearest.
July 16, 2024
This is a good book, but it's less about the history of whiskey than it is about the author shaking up the whiskey industry.
I was hoping for more history about the people in the past and less self-promotion by Weaver.
I was hoping for more history about the people in the past and less self-promotion by Weaver.
August 3, 2024
This is not a biography about Jack Daniel or even Nuerst Green. It's an autobiography about the author, Fawn Weaver, and how she capitalized upon Ben Green's biography of Jack Daniel, called Jack Daniel's Legacy.
The author could use some major lessons in humility. She writes in an incredibly pretentious manner.
Avoid!
I'm going to go read Jack Daniel's Legacy instead and I suggest you do the same.
The author could use some major lessons in humility. She writes in an incredibly pretentious manner.
Avoid!
I'm going to go read Jack Daniel's Legacy instead and I suggest you do the same.
January 30, 2025
Oh boy. I’m in the reviews minority with this one. The book delivers few actual facts about Nearest Green, and none about his personal relationship with Jack Daniel, because there aren’t any—just a handful of legal documents. If you’re hoping to gain an ounce of insight into the “remarkable bond” between the two men, don’t bother.
The book felt like a promotional tool for the author’s business (she founded a hugely successful whiskey company named after Green).
I wasn’t able to prevent myself from wondering about the author’s motives almost immediately. She stumbled upon Nearest’s story (a NYT article) while on a vacation, and immediately scrambled to secure all rights to his name and purchase the farm where he had been a slave, before beginning her book.
I’m certainly not arguing what the book suggests about Nearest’s role as a master distiller and/or mentor to Jack, or that there may have been friendship or warmth between the two men. Regarding the latter: as mentioned, there just aren’t records.
My complaint is that the book is all about the author and her expensive research journey. I learned that:
* She’s pretty much the savviest business woman alive and amazing in every way
* She’s a savior to Nearest and his descendants (and maybe even all residents of Lynchburg), literally sent by God
* Jack Daniel’s (the company) was intentionally denying the importance of Nearest’s role and planning to destroy the author’s history research and competing whiskey brand—until all that turned out to be untrue
Sadly, it all felt like a sales piece to me, with historical gymnastics and random opinions supporting whatever point the author was trying to make.
The book felt like a promotional tool for the author’s business (she founded a hugely successful whiskey company named after Green).
I wasn’t able to prevent myself from wondering about the author’s motives almost immediately. She stumbled upon Nearest’s story (a NYT article) while on a vacation, and immediately scrambled to secure all rights to his name and purchase the farm where he had been a slave, before beginning her book.
I’m certainly not arguing what the book suggests about Nearest’s role as a master distiller and/or mentor to Jack, or that there may have been friendship or warmth between the two men. Regarding the latter: as mentioned, there just aren’t records.
My complaint is that the book is all about the author and her expensive research journey. I learned that:
* She’s pretty much the savviest business woman alive and amazing in every way
* She’s a savior to Nearest and his descendants (and maybe even all residents of Lynchburg), literally sent by God
* Jack Daniel’s (the company) was intentionally denying the importance of Nearest’s role and planning to destroy the author’s history research and competing whiskey brand—until all that turned out to be untrue
Sadly, it all felt like a sales piece to me, with historical gymnastics and random opinions supporting whatever point the author was trying to make.
February 11, 2024
Finished! Great book! Wow! What a businesswoman! So inspirational!
Update: I found Uncle Nearest at a store in MI today. So smooth! Delightful! Very high proof, my lips were tingling.
A bit more than 50%. Fawn Weaver has a very unique style in writing Love & Whiskey and it is working perfectly for this book. Almost like she is an investigative reporter and writing as she is uncovering more and more information. So fascinating! (I'm hooked!) I'm reading (listening) to another book for book club and I had heard about leasing of enslaved people; but it didn't really resonate with me until L&W/Fawn further explained that "Lease arrangements of enslaved people were typically for a year, but it could be by the month, week, and even day." (and likely many lease arrangements were done with a handshake instead of documentation.) I also thought it was great that when prohibition was introduced "Jack Daniel's began running ads encouraging buyers to "ask your doctor" and drink "pure" Jack Daniel's for medicinal needs."
At 30% and loving Love & Whiskey by Fawn Weaver. I just had to google her to see what she looked like. Stunning. We had heard about Uncle Nearest and were passing through and had hoped to take a tour; unfortunately we were just a day or two too early.
Will provide updates as I progress.
Thank you to NetGalley, Fawn Weaver and publisher Zando, Sweet July Books for the opportunity to review Love and Whiskey in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is June 2024. 336 pages including an extensive Bibliography.
Update: I found Uncle Nearest at a store in MI today. So smooth! Delightful! Very high proof, my lips were tingling.
A bit more than 50%. Fawn Weaver has a very unique style in writing Love & Whiskey and it is working perfectly for this book. Almost like she is an investigative reporter and writing as she is uncovering more and more information. So fascinating! (I'm hooked!) I'm reading (listening) to another book for book club and I had heard about leasing of enslaved people; but it didn't really resonate with me until L&W/Fawn further explained that "Lease arrangements of enslaved people were typically for a year, but it could be by the month, week, and even day." (and likely many lease arrangements were done with a handshake instead of documentation.) I also thought it was great that when prohibition was introduced "Jack Daniel's began running ads encouraging buyers to "ask your doctor" and drink "pure" Jack Daniel's for medicinal needs."
At 30% and loving Love & Whiskey by Fawn Weaver. I just had to google her to see what she looked like. Stunning. We had heard about Uncle Nearest and were passing through and had hoped to take a tour; unfortunately we were just a day or two too early.
Will provide updates as I progress.
Thank you to NetGalley, Fawn Weaver and publisher Zando, Sweet July Books for the opportunity to review Love and Whiskey in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is June 2024. 336 pages including an extensive Bibliography.
July 3, 2024
Fawn Weaver’s Love & Whiskey is an epic, true story about Jack Daniel and Nearest Green. At its center, it’s a story about business, friendship and history. But it’s also about Fawn’s passion for truth and her rise to being the first Black Woman to found a lead a company worth over a billion dollars. And the product? Whiskey! Such a good read!
February 27, 2025
This is purely a case of What I Expected vs What I Got.
Based on the subtitle alone, I thought I would learn about Jack Daniel and how he was taught by a Black man to distill Tennessee whiskey. I wasn't sure what Uncle Nearest was, but I assumed it was the whiskey that Nearest Green himself distilled. I assumed, based on the subtitle, that it was a whiskey brand lost to history and recently re-discovered.
I love bourbon, so surely this book would be my heart and soul.
But this book is not about Jack Daniel or Nearest Green. And Uncle Nearest isn't some long lost bourbon brand, rediscovered.
This book is about Fawn Weaver and how great she is and how she founded the most amazing corporate whiskey brand in the United States.
But mostly, it is about how really, really, really, really great Fawn Weaver is. She is the smartest, the savviest, the businesswomaniest. And she lets you know it.
The opening chapter serves to frame how Weaver learned about Nearest Green whilst swanning around Singapore, of all places. I figured after that framing, she would remove herself from the narrative and tell the story about Jack Daniel learning from this great Black distiller.
Nope. Sure, both men are paid some lip service in these pages, but among other things, the research conducted to write this book feels half-assed at best, and their story is woefully undeveloped. Weaver likes to report about what she reads during her fumbling visits to the library, but it is always through her lens. There is no great historical context, no understanding of geography and craft and apprenticeships. No desire to understand either man.
This is because Weaver is a master at centering herself in any situation, and she is this story. Within the first forty pages, she forms an LLC for every iteration of Nearest Green's name that she can think of. She doesn't know what she's going to do with his name (nor has she asked permission from his family, but she is Fawn Weaver, goddamnit, and she is going to do as she pleases), but she smells money.
Weaver is the worst kind of venture capitalist. She pretends to care about history while being obsessed with "story", but what she really cares about is making money. Lots of it. And that's what Nearest Green is to her. She's going to make whiskey in his name! And she is going to capitalize on it!
Three hundred pages follow of Fawn Weaver nominally involving Green's descendants in her decision making (but always centering herself, not them) into the narrative. Other people don't matter, you see. This is a love letter from Fawn Weaver to Fawn Weaver. She can't help but... lol... fawn over herself, and is eager to let you know that everyone around her thinks she is also the greatest thing in the world.
Humility is not her strong suit:
"'The vibe was absolutely incredible,' Evette recently recalled to a friend. 'I don't think Fawn ever slept!;" - p. 232
"During these journeys across the country, sharing the Uncle Nearest story, I became accustomed to receiving standing ovations in rooms that were almost always 98 percent made up of white men. They would approach me afterward, praising it as the best general sales meeting they'd ever attended, and express gratitude for keeping them engaged." - p. 244
At one point, after she's trademarked Nearest Green's name, built a distillery outside Lynchburg to compete with Jack Daniel, and is on her way to being The Queen Of Tennessee Whiskey, her husband, Keith, is stressing over coming up with a name for the brewery that will inexplicably be part of the Fawn Weaver Industrial Beverage Complex.
"Within two minutes, I had it: Classic Hops... 'How did you just come up with a full name and concept in less than two minutes?’ Keith asked me. ‘I've been racking my brain for two weeks just trying to think of a name!' He's used to me doing this by now, but he's still amazed every time it happens.
WE GET IT, FAWN. YOU'RE AN INSPIRATION.
She is also super hokey:
"But I wasn't worried or anxious. I understood the facts while knowing I was secure in the protection of God's care and the comfort of Keith's love. My heart was safe." - p. 213
After reading this book, we bought a bottle of Jack (which, shockingly, I'd never had) and a bottle of Nearest Green. The former is really sweet, honeyish, like a cross between bourbon and mead. Not my favorite. The latter is really metallic. Like, a rye that has aged in a rust-coated barrel. Also not my favorite.
Final verdict: Fawn's book, like her bourbon, sucks.
Jack Daniel has had umpteen stories told about him and his legacy.
Nearest Green, though, hasn’t. And he deserves better. Way better.
Based on the subtitle alone, I thought I would learn about Jack Daniel and how he was taught by a Black man to distill Tennessee whiskey. I wasn't sure what Uncle Nearest was, but I assumed it was the whiskey that Nearest Green himself distilled. I assumed, based on the subtitle, that it was a whiskey brand lost to history and recently re-discovered.
I love bourbon, so surely this book would be my heart and soul.
But this book is not about Jack Daniel or Nearest Green. And Uncle Nearest isn't some long lost bourbon brand, rediscovered.
This book is about Fawn Weaver and how great she is and how she founded the most amazing corporate whiskey brand in the United States.
But mostly, it is about how really, really, really, really great Fawn Weaver is. She is the smartest, the savviest, the businesswomaniest. And she lets you know it.
The opening chapter serves to frame how Weaver learned about Nearest Green whilst swanning around Singapore, of all places. I figured after that framing, she would remove herself from the narrative and tell the story about Jack Daniel learning from this great Black distiller.
Nope. Sure, both men are paid some lip service in these pages, but among other things, the research conducted to write this book feels half-assed at best, and their story is woefully undeveloped. Weaver likes to report about what she reads during her fumbling visits to the library, but it is always through her lens. There is no great historical context, no understanding of geography and craft and apprenticeships. No desire to understand either man.
This is because Weaver is a master at centering herself in any situation, and she is this story. Within the first forty pages, she forms an LLC for every iteration of Nearest Green's name that she can think of. She doesn't know what she's going to do with his name (nor has she asked permission from his family, but she is Fawn Weaver, goddamnit, and she is going to do as she pleases), but she smells money.
Weaver is the worst kind of venture capitalist. She pretends to care about history while being obsessed with "story", but what she really cares about is making money. Lots of it. And that's what Nearest Green is to her. She's going to make whiskey in his name! And she is going to capitalize on it!
Three hundred pages follow of Fawn Weaver nominally involving Green's descendants in her decision making (but always centering herself, not them) into the narrative. Other people don't matter, you see. This is a love letter from Fawn Weaver to Fawn Weaver. She can't help but... lol... fawn over herself, and is eager to let you know that everyone around her thinks she is also the greatest thing in the world.
Humility is not her strong suit:
"'The vibe was absolutely incredible,' Evette recently recalled to a friend. 'I don't think Fawn ever slept!;" - p. 232
"During these journeys across the country, sharing the Uncle Nearest story, I became accustomed to receiving standing ovations in rooms that were almost always 98 percent made up of white men. They would approach me afterward, praising it as the best general sales meeting they'd ever attended, and express gratitude for keeping them engaged." - p. 244
At one point, after she's trademarked Nearest Green's name, built a distillery outside Lynchburg to compete with Jack Daniel, and is on her way to being The Queen Of Tennessee Whiskey, her husband, Keith, is stressing over coming up with a name for the brewery that will inexplicably be part of the Fawn Weaver Industrial Beverage Complex.
"Within two minutes, I had it: Classic Hops... 'How did you just come up with a full name and concept in less than two minutes?’ Keith asked me. ‘I've been racking my brain for two weeks just trying to think of a name!' He's used to me doing this by now, but he's still amazed every time it happens.
WE GET IT, FAWN. YOU'RE AN INSPIRATION.
She is also super hokey:
"But I wasn't worried or anxious. I understood the facts while knowing I was secure in the protection of God's care and the comfort of Keith's love. My heart was safe." - p. 213
After reading this book, we bought a bottle of Jack (which, shockingly, I'd never had) and a bottle of Nearest Green. The former is really sweet, honeyish, like a cross between bourbon and mead. Not my favorite. The latter is really metallic. Like, a rye that has aged in a rust-coated barrel. Also not my favorite.
Final verdict: Fawn's book, like her bourbon, sucks.
Jack Daniel has had umpteen stories told about him and his legacy.
Nearest Green, though, hasn’t. And he deserves better. Way better.
August 6, 2024
The dust jacket makes it sound as if this book will tell you about the story of Nearest Green and Jack Daniels. In reality, no one truly knows the story, so it's basically a recap of Fawn's research journey and how the Nearest Green whiskey comes to be. While interesting, it's repetitive and boring at times. I'd really give it two and a half stars. Admirable as to what's she's accomplished, but not the book I thought it was going to be.
November 16, 2024
Disappointing!! I thought I would be reading about the story of Jack Daniel and Nearest Green. Instead this book is about the author, whom I have never heard of, and her attempt to promote her whiskey brand that I have never heard of. Any tidbits of historical information about J.D. and Nearest comes from her personal narrative about how she conducted her research.
April 17, 2025
3.5 stars
So I enjoyed part one, what lead Ms Weaver to TN and her absolute love and zeal for the Nearest Green story. I expected more history, as much as one can expect with fires and floods destroying record from the 1800s.
I appreciated her and her husband Keith’s desire to make their mark and preserve the Green legacy, however this book is mostly her journey.
Ms Weaver’s vision and philanthropy will ensure the direct Green descendants receive deserved educational opportunities and the historic markers of a whiskey genius will endure for generations!
So I enjoyed part one, what lead Ms Weaver to TN and her absolute love and zeal for the Nearest Green story. I expected more history, as much as one can expect with fires and floods destroying record from the 1800s.
I appreciated her and her husband Keith’s desire to make their mark and preserve the Green legacy, however this book is mostly her journey.
Ms Weaver’s vision and philanthropy will ensure the direct Green descendants receive deserved educational opportunities and the historic markers of a whiskey genius will endure for generations!
March 22, 2025
I remember clicking on a Forbes video on YouTube cause the eyes on this woman called to me and so began my journey on Mrs. Fawn Weaver! This is an outstanding story of unparalleled skill and dedication. I loved how we got a bit of history about the author, Tennessee and the Whiskey business. I tried a swig of Uncle Nearest over the holidays and I have to say that it was quite good but I’m no drinker; Lambrusco is all I’ll ever need!! Overall, the book is great, it got a bit rigid in the middle but we caught our flow again at about 68%. This is something I’d like to do, build and give back… I’m on a journey right now and I can’t tell you the outcome but I know that this story is laying a foundation. While the premise of the story isn’t a new one, Fawn did show us that with the right tools we can uncover new ways to cement our legacy + turning it back over to its heirs is such a GOD move; she didn’t get that idea from anywhere but the throne. 🙏🏽✨💚 give it a read!
October 14, 2024
Love and Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest. Fawn Weaver. Melcher Media Inc., 2024. 376 pages.
While I've never been much a drinker, and I don't have a very discerning palate when it comes to alcohol, I was intrigued when I stumbled across a short video of Fawn Weaver discussing her new book. I read it, and I loved it. It's a great story of American history, but it's so much more. It's the story of an inspiring woman who should be an example of achievement, but I had never even heard her name until I stumbled on that video. It's a great story of historical and genealogical mystery solving. It's also a great story for aspiring entrepreneurs and business people, especially women and people of color.
Fawn Weaver's journey is incredible. The daughter of a Motown music songwriter and producer turned preacher and a minister's wife who published books on marriage and family, she left home and school at 15, lived in homeless shelters, and worked odd jobs, until, by age 20, she had become the head of a successful public relations firm. That success led to more success, with stumbling blocks along the way. One day, she happened to read a story about the relationship between Jack Daniel and his distilling mentor, Nearest Green. That story implied that the relationship had been mischaracterized by social media (gasps of shock and disbelief!), and she was hooked. She made it her mission to uncover the true story. She and her husband relocated from Los Angeles to Lynchburg Tennessee to do research. Three years later, she had turned the prevailing narrative on its head and discovered a totally unique, and previously unknown, episode of American history, and they founded a brand new distillery, named Uncle Nearest to honor the first known black master distiller in American history, to preserve and to tell the story. This truly is a great American story, accessible on many levels, even for people who aren't whiskey connoisseurs.
#histocratsbookshelf #histocratsread #histocratsbotd #jackdaniel #loveandwhiskey #fawnweaver #unclenearest #lynchburg #nearestgreen
While I've never been much a drinker, and I don't have a very discerning palate when it comes to alcohol, I was intrigued when I stumbled across a short video of Fawn Weaver discussing her new book. I read it, and I loved it. It's a great story of American history, but it's so much more. It's the story of an inspiring woman who should be an example of achievement, but I had never even heard her name until I stumbled on that video. It's a great story of historical and genealogical mystery solving. It's also a great story for aspiring entrepreneurs and business people, especially women and people of color.
Fawn Weaver's journey is incredible. The daughter of a Motown music songwriter and producer turned preacher and a minister's wife who published books on marriage and family, she left home and school at 15, lived in homeless shelters, and worked odd jobs, until, by age 20, she had become the head of a successful public relations firm. That success led to more success, with stumbling blocks along the way. One day, she happened to read a story about the relationship between Jack Daniel and his distilling mentor, Nearest Green. That story implied that the relationship had been mischaracterized by social media (gasps of shock and disbelief!), and she was hooked. She made it her mission to uncover the true story. She and her husband relocated from Los Angeles to Lynchburg Tennessee to do research. Three years later, she had turned the prevailing narrative on its head and discovered a totally unique, and previously unknown, episode of American history, and they founded a brand new distillery, named Uncle Nearest to honor the first known black master distiller in American history, to preserve and to tell the story. This truly is a great American story, accessible on many levels, even for people who aren't whiskey connoisseurs.
#histocratsbookshelf #histocratsread #histocratsbotd #jackdaniel #loveandwhiskey #fawnweaver #unclenearest #lynchburg #nearestgreen
October 12, 2024
Some days you’re at the airport bookstore and you find a book on your special interest topic.
I’ve loved Uncle Nearest whiskey and the story of Nearest Green & Jack Daniel since I first encountered it. When I found a book on that story had been written by the CEO, I had to read it. Part history, part memoir, part business, this book is easy to read and very engaging. I genuinely enjoyed every second I spent reading this book.
There are parts of the book that I am skeptical of. While the author is passionate about telling you the story of Nearest Green, she is also using this book to promote her whiskey, which means this is as much a marketing ploy as it is an historical account. To be clear, I enjoyed this book very much, and I think it should make you want to go buy some Uncle Nearest whiskey; but it also never hurts to be a tad skeptical when it comes to memoirs.
Absolutely read this book if you want to know more about Nearest Green and Uncle Nearest whiskey. You won’t be disappointed.
I’ve loved Uncle Nearest whiskey and the story of Nearest Green & Jack Daniel since I first encountered it. When I found a book on that story had been written by the CEO, I had to read it. Part history, part memoir, part business, this book is easy to read and very engaging. I genuinely enjoyed every second I spent reading this book.
There are parts of the book that I am skeptical of. While the author is passionate about telling you the story of Nearest Green, she is also using this book to promote her whiskey, which means this is as much a marketing ploy as it is an historical account. To be clear, I enjoyed this book very much, and I think it should make you want to go buy some Uncle Nearest whiskey; but it also never hurts to be a tad skeptical when it comes to memoirs.
Absolutely read this book if you want to know more about Nearest Green and Uncle Nearest whiskey. You won’t be disappointed.
September 18, 2024
This book was extremely middling. The first half was a little too overloaded with the genealogical history and conversations with family. I would've preferred to have had those mixed in with the story of the development of the Uncle Nearest brand more. I enjoyed the story of community and family told; it just could've used condensing or mixing with the plot of the brand development.
July 7, 2024
I need to say that I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, I didn’t. I found it redundant and repetitive but a little too self-congratulatory. I think the story is interesting and the research was outstanding. Still, I was left deflated.
September 9, 2025
I enjoyed parts of this book, particularly the history and the hunt to find verification of the story to Nearest Green. However, there were two other books written along with the historical account - one a memoir of the author and her business acumen and the second a business book. Trying to fit all three stories into one book led to the book being muddled and confusing at times. It was also repetitive. It’s an important story to tell, that of Nearest Green, and this town of Lynchburg. I wish the author had focused solely on that.
“And I see that there is a change, but as long as we've got people with the mind that there's a difference and they teach their children that, it's never going to be a perfect world.”
3 stars
Nonfiction
2024
Hardcover borrowed from county library
WPB Women’s Book Club September 2025
NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction 2025
“And I see that there is a change, but as long as we've got people with the mind that there's a difference and they teach their children that, it's never going to be a perfect world.”
3 stars
Nonfiction
2024
Hardcover borrowed from county library
WPB Women’s Book Club September 2025
NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction 2025
April 27, 2025
Don’t care for whiskey but I love a good story, even better when it’s a true story. I found the history of Lynchburg, Nearest, and Jack fascinating.
November 3, 2024
This read like an investigative article or podcast learning with the author along the way. Great story not only of Jack Daniels and Nearest Green but of Fawn Weaver the author too.
January 11, 2025
This book isn’t necessarily what I expected or what I think a lot of people will expect. The author makes it very clear that this is a story of love & respect between Nearest Green & Jack Daniels at a time when that was about as unlikely as it ever would be. I enjoyed learning about the history & the impact it had on people today. Learned a lot about the whiskey industry I’ll never use but this was a very engaging, interesting read.
November 11, 2024
The credibility of this book, which is to ostensibly dig into whether Uncle Nearest, Jack Daniel’s master distiller invented Jack Daniel’s is fairly sus based on the author’s incentives-
The author is a PR EXECUTIVE and FOUNDER of UNCLE NEAREST WHISKEY. Now do you think given that fact there would be any doubt what the book would conclude? It turns out there are no records but through oral histories she concludes her original thesis, which just happens to financially benefit the company she owns.
The idea for the story is really interesting, I’d love to learn more about how a former slave started one of the best known whiskey companies in the world. However i found the author dull, as someone who grew up rich in LA (a daughter of a famous Motown artist and producer), she’s scared of being a black person near Alabama (which has the fifth highest percentage of black people in the country…), she’s constantly freaked out and having conspiracy theories about the town, which is really just small town stuff (everyone knows an author is in town and seems to go out of their way to be friendly despite her thinking they are going to kill her), she buys a million dollar farm on a whim…
Anyways I love history but the authors aloof life (which occupies 75% of the books content) combined with financial interest made dubious of this book and its history.
The author is a PR EXECUTIVE and FOUNDER of UNCLE NEAREST WHISKEY. Now do you think given that fact there would be any doubt what the book would conclude? It turns out there are no records but through oral histories she concludes her original thesis, which just happens to financially benefit the company she owns.
The idea for the story is really interesting, I’d love to learn more about how a former slave started one of the best known whiskey companies in the world. However i found the author dull, as someone who grew up rich in LA (a daughter of a famous Motown artist and producer), she’s scared of being a black person near Alabama (which has the fifth highest percentage of black people in the country…), she’s constantly freaked out and having conspiracy theories about the town, which is really just small town stuff (everyone knows an author is in town and seems to go out of their way to be friendly despite her thinking they are going to kill her), she buys a million dollar farm on a whim…
Anyways I love history but the authors aloof life (which occupies 75% of the books content) combined with financial interest made dubious of this book and its history.
July 4, 2024
I enjoyed reading Love & Whiskey and finding out the true story behind Uncle Nearest's amazing CEO - Fawn Weaver and the meteoric rise of the brand and whiskey I am a big supporter of. The history of Nearest Green and his family who are the foundation of why we have Tennessee whiskey now and what created the loyalty to one of the most iconic brands ever - Jack Daniel's. I liked the deep dive into how personal the search for history & facts for everyone involved led to shining a light on Nearest Green and a discovery of pride for his family and other folks who can appreciate being erased or looked over for accomplishing great things.
Also, it was so enlightening to find out about the communities of Lynchburg and Shelbyville that have continued to foster the love & respect for all people that was birthed from the relationship between Nearest Green and Jack Daniel. Anyone who loves finding out about forgotten history, origin stories and inspiring tales of perseverance (and a little business insight) would definitely appreciate the wonderful read of Love & Whiskey. Great family pics too!
Cheers to good reading!
Also, it was so enlightening to find out about the communities of Lynchburg and Shelbyville that have continued to foster the love & respect for all people that was birthed from the relationship between Nearest Green and Jack Daniel. Anyone who loves finding out about forgotten history, origin stories and inspiring tales of perseverance (and a little business insight) would definitely appreciate the wonderful read of Love & Whiskey. Great family pics too!
Cheers to good reading!
August 26, 2024
Was expecting more on the history of Nearest after 8 years of research. Cool insight into the back story of how Nearest started, but not really the advertised story.
January 23, 2025
Not really what I expected. Basically an advertisement for her own whiskey brand
January 15, 2025
I am huge fan of Jack Daniel's so I wanted to learn about the man who taught him the art of distilling whiskey.
Sadly, while this is a good book, it's less about the history of whiskey or Nearest Green than it is an autobiography of the author and how she is making it in the whiskey industry.
In my opinion, Weaver's writing comes across as somewhat pretentious and self-centered. I almost didn't finish this book because of her writing style.
I was hoping for more history about the past, the whiskey, and Nearest Green's and Jack Daniel's friendship, instead I learned all about Weaver's life.
I will say, when I took the Jack Daniel's tour at the distillery I did learn about Nearest Green - I even have a picture of the picture on this book cover! - so I am thankful to Weaver for that.
I'm giving this book 2.5 🌟 but rounding up to 3 for Goodreads.
Sadly, while this is a good book, it's less about the history of whiskey or Nearest Green than it is an autobiography of the author and how she is making it in the whiskey industry.
In my opinion, Weaver's writing comes across as somewhat pretentious and self-centered. I almost didn't finish this book because of her writing style.
I was hoping for more history about the past, the whiskey, and Nearest Green's and Jack Daniel's friendship, instead I learned all about Weaver's life.
I will say, when I took the Jack Daniel's tour at the distillery I did learn about Nearest Green - I even have a picture of the picture on this book cover! - so I am thankful to Weaver for that.
I'm giving this book 2.5 🌟 but rounding up to 3 for Goodreads.
July 21, 2024
It’s a first person narrative of the founding of Uncle Nearest Whiskey, from an idea to its first years of operation.
The story includes who Nearest Green was, his importance in history and his relationship with Jack Daniel. If you are a whiskey fan, and a fan of business this book is for you.
Congrats to a savvy business woman, author and Uncle Nearest founder, Fawn Weaver. Uncle Nearest is a great story and was already one of my favorite whiskeys.
The story includes who Nearest Green was, his importance in history and his relationship with Jack Daniel. If you are a whiskey fan, and a fan of business this book is for you.
Congrats to a savvy business woman, author and Uncle Nearest founder, Fawn Weaver. Uncle Nearest is a great story and was already one of my favorite whiskeys.
January 13, 2025
A captivating account of uncovering Nearest Green’s legacy and the profound impact he and his descendants have had on the whiskey industry. The storytelling was masterful, blending history and narrative in the perfect way (puns intended!).
It was an engaging, concise read that managed to cover a lot of ground without feeling overwhelming. I’m excited to revisit the Nearest Green Distillery and Shelbyville to explore the connections and stories I discovered through the book.
It was an engaging, concise read that managed to cover a lot of ground without feeling overwhelming. I’m excited to revisit the Nearest Green Distillery and Shelbyville to explore the connections and stories I discovered through the book.
February 26, 2025
Not what I expected which was a detailed history of Nearest Green and his contributions to the world of whiskey. Instead it was some of that and a whole lot of the author telling her story. Not that she’s not interesting but I wanted to read about Green & Daniels, not Fawn Weaver and her journey of discovery.
August 7, 2024
Where do I begin in describing how excellent this book is and what it has meant to me to be able to read it? Growing up, I never learned much about black history except what was dished out from a textbook in a high school history class that only talked about black oppression and rarely black excellence. Black history has to be rewritten, for most of the history isn't acknowledged, avoided, or plainly unknown. In seeing this book, I was skeptical because I don't drink whiskey, nor have I ever been interested in learning the history of an alcoholic drink. It's safe to say that I have no regrets about knowing the history of Uncle Nearest. This story was inspiring, encouraging, and heartwarming. The story was a fight for the truth and standing up for the facts of history. It's about acknowledging that not everything in history is a sad story of disadvantages but a period when individuals set aside common ideologies to embrace each other's differences and use those differences to bring each other together to create and learn from one another. This book is important to read, no matter who you are or where you come from. This isn't just about whiskey. It's about friendship, family, legacy, truth and integrity. I am grateful for Fawn Weaver pursuing this unexpected purpose and being truthful in her discoveries. Thank you for the relatable commentary that made me chuckle. One day, I would love to visit this little town of difference and embrace the wonderful history of Nearest and Jack.
August 11, 2025
Really enjoyed the story that does include some history, breaking into the industry, building a business, and making a difference in a community as well as family. I bought Uncle Nearest whiskey and it is fantastic. I like Jack Daniel’s the man even more after reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 383 reviews