There are lots of made-in-Tennessee whiskeys sitting on liquor stores shelves with compelling stories but none enjoy the narrative of Nearest Green’s Distillery’s Uncle Nearest’s brands. For those who aren’t familiar, Nathan “Nearest” Green is the black, slave who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. He’s credited with being the first Jack Daniel Distillery Master Distiller. Today, he enjoys a distillery that bears his name, the Nearest Green Distillery located off Highway 231 in Shelbyville.

On Monday, that narrative brought several famous faces to the distillery for a VIP tour with founder, Fawn Weaver. Atlanta-based rapper Ludacris along with his wife, Eudoxie Mbouguiengue, film producer Will Packer and his wife, Nina, jeweler to the stars Mo Jooma, and TV and radio executive Kenny Burns and his wife, Jessica all visited.

“Luda brought seven of his friends on his jet to do an all day Founders Tour with us,” said Weaver. “We started in Lynchburg and partnered with Jack Daniel’s Distillery to get them a private tour. They also had a meal a Miss Mary Bobo’s, saw the grave sites of Jack Daniel and the memorial for Nearest, and the Dan Call Farm. Lastly, they toured the Nearest Green Distillery and enjoyed a private meal catered by Chuck Baker at Barrel House Barbecue.”

Weaver says it’s the first time they’ve added the Jack Daniel Distillery tour to one of the Nearest Green’s Founder’s Tours.

“Luda and his crew loved it. They were here for over 10 hours and they had a blast,” Weaver said.

Just goes to show you that you never know who you might see in Lynchburg. •

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}