Nathan Nearest Green, an enslaved man, played a pivotal role in the creation of Tennessee whiskey, mentoring a young Jack Daniel and teaching him the intricacies of distilling.
In the annals of American spirits, few names are as iconic as Jack Daniel's. The smooth, charcoal-filtered Tennessee whiskey has become a beloved staple around the globe. But behind the legend lies a fascinating and largely untold story: the pivotal role played by Nathan Nearest Green, an enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel the art of whiskey-making.
Nathan Nearest Green was born around 1820 in Maryland, most likely in Baltimore. Little is known about his early life, but he eventually found himself enslaved on a farm in Lynchburg, Tennessee, owned by minister and grocery store operator Dan Call.
The Unsung Hero of Tennessee Whiskey: Meet Nathan Nearest Green
Among Green's duties at the farm was operating the farmhouse distillery. It was here that he encountered a curious and determined pre-teen named Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel. Daniel, orphaned at a young age, had come to work for Call, and his fascination with distilling led him to seek Green's mentorship.
Green, known for his exceptional skills in whiskey-making, generously shared his knowledge with Daniel. Over the years, the two formed a close bond, and Daniel absorbed the intricate techniques that would later define Tennessee whiskey.
The Unsung Hero of Tennessee Whiskey: Meet Nathan Nearest Green
With the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves, Green became a free man. In 1866, Daniel, who had learned everything he knew from Green, established his own distillery. He hired Green as his first master distiller, a testament to the respect and gratitude he held for his former mentor.
The influence of Nathan Nearest Green on Jack Daniel's Distillery extends beyond his own lifetime. His descendants have continued to work at the distillery, helping to produce the iconic whiskey that bears his name.
The Unsung Hero of Tennessee Whiskey: Meet Nathan Nearest Green
Today, two of Green's descendants, Jerome Vance and Jackie Hardin, are employed at the distillery, carrying on their family's legacy in the whiskey-making tradition.
While the exact origins of charcoal filtering, a technique that distinguishes Tennessee whiskey, are debated, some experts believe it may have been brought to America by enslaved Africans who used charcoal to purify water and food.
The Unsung Hero of Tennessee Whiskey: Meet Nathan Nearest Green
Nelson Eddy, Jack Daniel's company historian, notes that the techniques used in Tennessee whiskey production were known by enslaved distillers in the 19th century. Regardless of its origins, the charcoal filtering process adds a distinctive smoothness and richness to the whiskey.
Green's influence is not limited to the distillery. His family became one of the largest landowners in the Lynchburg area, and his descendants have played an active role in the community.
The Unsung Hero of Tennessee Whiskey: Meet Nathan Nearest Green
"There has never been a drop of Jack Daniel's made without a member of the Green family working somewhere in the company," says whiskey historian Charles K. Cowdery.
Nathan Nearest Green's story is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of African Americans in the face of adversity. His knowledge and skills helped shape the future of American spirits, creating a whiskey that has become a symbol of Southern heritage and innovation.
The Unsung Hero of Tennessee Whiskey: Meet Nathan Nearest Green
Today, Jack Daniel's is the top-selling whiskey in America and a globally recognized brand. It is a legacy built on the foundation laid by Nathan Nearest Green, an unsung hero whose contributions deserve to be celebrated.
