Uncle Nearest Sues Lender Over Smear Campaign

0:00On March 18th, Uncle Nearest, the popular Black-owned whiskey brand, is suing farm credit mid-America for what they call a deliberate smear campaign. The company, along with CEO Fawn Weaver and its largest shareholder, claims the lender's spread false stories about missing inventory, financial, misconduct, negative cash flow, and insolvency after providing $102 million credit facility. The suit accuses farm credit of trying to cover up its own mistakes in handling the funds by pushing these damaging reports. Uncle Nearest says the lender had access to records that directly contradicted those claims. Leaders at Uncle Nearest emphasized the brand's huge success as the seven-time most awarded bourbon worldwide. It honors Nearest Green, the first known African-American master distiller, who mentored Jack Daniel, and their determined to keep his legacy alive. Despite the challenges, the company has exited receivership following a chapter 11 filing and is reorganizing its assets while keeping distillery operations running.

1:02Smoothly, farm credit has not yet responded publicly to the allegations. This legal battle highlights tensions in the whiskey industry, but Uncle Nearest remains focused on growth and honoring its roots as the case moves forward.