Shelbyville, TN — Just a short drive down Highway 231-South from Murfreesboro, the Uncle Nearest Distillery stands as a proud homage to Nathan “Nearest” Green, the formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel the art of whiskey-making. But while the distillery continues to draw crowds with its rich history and the world’s largest bar, a federal courtroom is now the stage for a high-stakes legal drama that could reshape the future of the celebrated brand.

On August 7, 2025, a federal hearing in the lawsuit filed by Farm Credit Mid-America against Uncle Nearest, Inc. and Nearest Green Distillery zeroed in on the lender’s push to appoint a receiver to take control of the business. The court acknowledged that the company is in default on $108 million in loans, with the debt growing daily. Uncle Nearest’s legal team admitted a $10 million payment due to the creditor would not be made on time.

The company’s co-owners, Fawn and Keith Weaver, argued against receivership or bankruptcy, expressing a desire to repay the debt independently. Keith Weaver testified to the brand’s growth but blamed a former CFO for inflating barrel inventory by $21 million—an act the company claims was done without their knowledge and has since led to the CFO’s termination.

The judge, however, voiced concern over the company’s financial health, remarking that Uncle Nearest appeared to be “out over its skis.” While the distillery emphasized its repayment efforts—$9 million in 2024 and $7.5 million in 2025—the court ordered the preservation of collateral, primarily whiskey barrels, and is considering a quasi-gag order in response to Fawn Weaver’s social media activity.

As the legal battle unfolds, the legacy of Nearest Green remains at the heart of the brand’s identity. But whether that legacy can weather the financial storm now brewing in Shelbyville remains to be seen.