The World's Best Bourbon, According To America's Top Bartenders

Forbes

10-06-2025

Uncle Nearest Master Blend
It's not surprising that America's top bartenders would pick Uncle Nearest as their top bourbon choice. Since its debut less than a decade ago, the brand has garnered a world-class reputation, winning numerous medals along the way. Below is a brief description and tasting notes on America's bartender's top pick for World's Best Bourbon!
Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 is a premium Tennessee whiskey crafted by Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee. This limited-release expression is part of Uncle Nearest's Master Blend Edition series, which honors Nathan "Nearest" Green, the first known African American master distiller in the United States. Green taught Jack Daniel the art of distilling and developed the Lincoln County Process, a charcoal mellowing technique that defines Tennessee whisky.
Tennessee whisky is considered a variant of bourbon, as it meets all the statutory requirements for being labeled a bourbon, but also undergoes a charcoal filtration process to be classified as a Tennessee whiskey.
Victoria Eady Butler, a fifth-generation descendant of Nearest Green and the first known African American female master blender in the American whiskey industry, curated the Master Blend Edition series.
Since joining Uncle Nearest in 2019, Butler has overseen the blending of select barrels to create exceptional small-batch whiskeys that pay tribute to her ancestor's legacy. Each expression in the series is bottled at cask strength, hence the ABV differs slightly between bottlings, and is available exclusively at the distillery. Batch 032 is the latest bottling in the series.
The Uncle Nearest Whiskey Range
The whisky is complex and aromatic on the nose, featuring ripe bananas, caramel, milk chocolate, espresso, strawberries, and a subtle aroma of cooked cereal.
On the palate, the whiskey is robust and full-bodied, featuring notes of dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, red berries, coffee, and a hint of vanilla. The finish is medium in length and creamy, with lingering notes of cinnamon, caramel, and red berries.
Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 is best enjoyed straight up or with a few drops of water to open up its complex flavors. Its robust profile also makes it a suitable base for classic whiskey cocktails, such as the Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Pair it with rich foods such as grilled meats, sausages, aged cheeses, or dark chocolate desserts.
The International Bartender Spirits Awards is a renowned global competition that showcases the world's best spirits. Selection is based on quality, innovation, value, and craftsmanship. Judged by an expert panel of bartenders and industry professionals, the competition is highly regarded in the spirits industry and serves as a benchmark for quality.
Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 is a testament to the rich heritage of bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and the legacy of Nearest Green. Under the deft hand of Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler, this expression showcases the complexity and craftsmanship that define Uncle Nearest's premium offerings. With its nuanced, layered flavors and its signature smooth finish, Batch 032 is a must-have whiskey and deserves a place in every home whisky collection.