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Visit the 2023 Tennessee Whiskey Distillery of the Year Uncle Nearest tours

What you'll enjoy: uncle nearest premium whiskey, visit world's best whiskey maker.

Nearest Green Distillery is the world's first distillery to commemorate an African American. Dubbed as "Malt Disney World," and named by Travel + Leisure as a "true whiskey destination," the 432-acre property has become known as a full-blown destination for whiskey lovers, history enthusiasts, and families. It is a master class in storyte

Nearest Green Distillery is the world's first distillery to commemorate an African American. Dubbed as "Malt Disney World," and named by Travel + Leisure as a "true whiskey destination," the 432-acre property has become known as a full-blown destination for whiskey lovers, history enthusiasts, and families. It is a master class in storytelling and history-making, paying tribute to the three things Tennessee is most known for: Tennessee Whiskey, Tennessee walking horses and Tennessee music.

Book your tour and tasting with MC Transportationavel to see every bit of our 432-acre, four-phase, $50 million build-out, is a master class in storytelling and history-making. No matter where you turn on our property, we are either unveiling history-making moments of the past or history being made in the present. If that's not enough, the distillery is also the only place you can purchase our exclusive (and award-winning) new release, Master Blend Edition.

We are pleased to announce that Barrel House II is now serving on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well. Voted #1 Grilled Cheese on both Buzzfeed and Yelp, this is a meal you don't want to miss!

Book your tour and tasting below to visit Uncle Nearest tours to Nearest Green Distillery

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 Travel with peace of mind and let us transport you to your destination. 

Our luxury coaches have seating for up to 55 people.

Sit back and enjoy the smooth taste of Uncle nearest and let us do the driving to Shelbyville, Tn @ Uncle Nearest tours to Nearest Green Distillery

• Enjoy the  taste of premium Uncle Nearest whiskey
• Learn all about the
• Learn all about the Nearest Green history and the famous brand
• Discover the original process behind making TN whiskey
• Experience a guided tour full of fun that you won't forget
• Explore historic Shelbyville, Tennessee

Award Winning

  Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world's first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. It was the first spirits brand in the world to be named after a Black American. The portfolio is the Most Awarded Bourbon and American Whiskey of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, with over 700 awards and accolades since the brand's 2

  Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world's first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. It was the first spirits brand in the world to be named after a Black American. The portfolio is the Most Awarded Bourbon and American Whiskey of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, with over 700 awards and accolades since the brand's 2017 launch, including 452 Gold medals or higher, 78 Best in Class honors and an average critic's score of 92. Uncle Nearest is currently sold in all 50 states and 12 countries, and is sold in more than 25,000 stores, bars, hotels, restaurants, as well as at its 432-acre Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn.  

Sample exclusive brands only sold at Nearest Green Distillery. Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey has garnered over 550 awards and accolades since the brand’s 2017 launch, including 65 Best in Class honors such as: “World’s Best” by World Whiskies Awards, two “Chairman’s Trophies” from Ultimate Spirits Challenge, “Spirit Brand of the Year” from Wine Enthusiast, “Top 5 Whiskies in the World” by Cigar & Spirits Magazine, multiple “Platinum's” and “Double Golds” by SIP Awards, four “Double Golds” at the SF World Spirits Competition, as well as “Best American Whiskey” and “Whisky of the Year”. 

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Whiskey Brand Uncle Nearest Reopened Their Tennessee Distillery With New Experiences and Stunning Spaces

This Tennessee whiskey distillery just reopened with a speakeasy, barbecue restaurant, and more.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Premium whiskey brand Uncle Nearest reopened its 270-acre distillery in June, spotlighting African American, Tennessee, and women's history in a new space designed to engage visitors of all ages. Following the completion of a $50 million project, Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, is now inviting guests to a new welcome center, speakeasy, barbecue restaurant, tasting room, and more. It's the first distillery in the world to commemorate an African American, honoring its namesake, Nearest Green, a formerly enslaved man who is now known as the first African American master distiller on record — he even taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey.

In a statement shared with Travel + Leisure , Fawn Weaver, CEO and founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, said, "At Uncle Nearest, everything we do has significance beyond the product we sell — it's why our main hashtag on social media is #MoreThanWhiskey. We could not be more honored to have the opportunity to share the history of Tennessee, and to couple that with honoring the history of one of the greatest figures in the spirits industry, Nearest Green. It's a distillery experience unlike any other, and nothing can prepare guests for what they will see when they come to visit."

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, a Black- and woman-owned company, is the fastest-growing American whiskey brand, and it's received numerous awards in recent years — Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey was even named one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2020.

The new additions to the property have transformed it into a true whiskey destination. The welcome center teaches guests the history of Tennessee whiskey, walking horses, and music, with history narrative walls and retail space inside a renovated former horse show arena. The concession stand, meanwhile, features famous snacks that were created in Tennessee. And through a red refrigerator inside the stand, visitors will find Philo + Frank's, a non-alcoholic speakeasy that's designed to educate guests about Tennessee's role in the women's suffrage movement and temperance movement. Barrel House BBQ & Brew serves up delicious eats, and the Family Tasting Room offers visitors a taste of Uncle Nearest whiskeys. At the Master Blender House, Victoria Eady Butler, a fifth-generation Nearest Green descendant and the master blender, works to mix the brand's award-winning whiskeys.

You've probably seen that iconic Nashville angel wing mural all over Instagram; muralist Kelsey Montague created a new pair of #WhatLiftsYou wings just for the distillery, so guests have the perfect photo backdrop during their visit. And it doesn't stop there — later this summer, two additions will open: Humble Baron, an entertainment venue and restaurant that will have the world's longest bar, and the Nearest Green Still House. There are self-paced and guided tours available at the distillery, and it's located about an hour outside of Nashville, making it the perfect day trip option for people visiting the Music City.

If you can't make it to the distillery just yet, try your hand at mixology and make yourself this delightful cocktail using Uncle Nearest ( available for delivery on Drizly ) at home.

Copper Skies Cocktail Recipe

1.5 oz. Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey

1.5 oz. coconut water

0.75 oz. cinnamon syrup

0.5 oz. lime juice

Grapefruit soda

Build the first four cocktail ingredients in a glass. Add ice and stir. Top with grapefruit soda and grated cinnamon. Garnish with a lime or grapefruit wedge or peel.

• 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey
• 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
• 日本語 ( Japanese )

Nearest Green Distillery

If Nearest Green had the opportunity to own his own distillery, would he have? We may never know that answer, but with the greatest amount of honor and humility, we open the doors to the Nearest Green Distillery and pray we make him proud.

Phase One of the Nearest Green Distillery opened this September in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Our Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Tasting and hard hat tour experience, as well as our weekly Founders Tour experience, can be booked by clicking on the links below. The hard-hat portion of our tours will take visitors through the spaces under construction that will open in 2020, such as the single barrel warehouse and tasting room, as well as Heritage Hall, an impressive collection of all things invented in Tennessee, with a special focus on Tennessee Whiskey, Walking Horses and Country Music.

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Exploring Uncle Nearest Whiskey

by Mint Julep Experiences | Sep 13, 2023 | Bourbon , Nashville , Sightseeing , Spirits | 0 comments

Uncle Nearest Distillery, also known as Nearest Green Distillery, is a whiskey distillery located in Shelbyville, Tennessee – just 45 minutes south of Nashville. It is named in honor of Nathan “Nearest” Green, an African-American master distiller who is credited with teaching Jack Daniel how to distill whiskey. Green’s contribution to American whiskey history had been largely overlooked until recent years.

Uncle Nearest Whiskey , a brand steeped in history and craftsmanship, offers a distinctive experience that appeals to the discerning traveler seeking a blend of rich narratives and refined flavors.

Learn the captivating story of Uncle Nearest Whiskey, explore its significance in Tennessee’s whiskey tradition, and discover why every whiskey enthusiast traveler should consider this destination as a must-visit on their Nashville travel itinerary.

Unveiling the Legacy of Uncle Nearest Whiskey

The history of Uncle Nearest Whiskey is intertwined with the life of Nathan “Nearest” Green, an African American master distiller whose contribution to whiskey-making remained obscured for decades. Nathan Green was a slave on Dan Call Farm. He created the charcoal filtering process that he brought over from Africa, a filtering process used to purify their water in Africa. 

With its roots tracing back to the 19th century, the brand’s revival and recognition have sparked a resurgence of appreciation for Green’s role in crafting exceptional spirits. For whiskey enthusiasts, this legacy provides an exclusive opportunity to delve into the lesser-known chapters of bourbon history.  

Uncle Nearest & Jack Daniels

In the heart of Tennessee’s rolling hills, a remarkable story unfolded that intertwined the lives of Jack Daniel and Nathan “Nearest” Green, leaving a lasting mark on the world of whiskey. Jack Daniel, a young boy adopted by Dan Call during his childhood, grew up on the Call family farm. Meanwhile, Nearest Green, a skilled slave, was an integral part of the Call Farm, particularly known for his expertise in crafting whiskey. Dan Call, a preacher by vocation with a clandestine passion for distillation, capitalized on Nearest’s proficiency to produce and distribute his coveted spirits.

Amidst the fragrant haze of smoke and the rhythmic clatter of horse-drawn buggies transporting barrels of whiskey, Jack’s inquisitive nature was piqued from a tender age. The sight of this orchestrated dance between tradition and commerce left an indelible curiosity within him. In his early teens, fate wove their paths even closer, as Dan Call introduced Jack to Nearest Green. This meeting would prove pivotal in the legacy of Tennessee whiskey.

Under Nearest’s seasoned guidance, Jack embarked on an educational journey that unveiled the intricate artistry behind whiskey production. Nearest, a master of his craft, imparted not only the technical nuances of distillation but also the rich history and time-honored traditions that infused each drop of the amber elixir with character. This mentorship fostered a deep connection between the two, laying the foundation for a partnership that would impact the future of the Tennessee spirits industry.

As Jack Daniel stepped into his own as a distiller, he merged his keen business acumen with the knowledge instilled by Nearest. While Nearest Green quietly labored behind the scenes, it was Jack who brought their collaborative creation to the forefront, branding it with his own name. The distinct and refined taste of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey , attributed to their shared craftsmanship, soon gained recognition far beyond the hills of their humble beginnings.

Upon Nearest Green’s retirement, his legacy continued through the hands of his sons, who seamlessly transitioned their expertise to join forces with the burgeoning Jack Daniel’s brand. This intergenerational bond was a testament to the enduring influence of mentorship and the shared passion that transcended societal divisions.

The story of Jack Daniel and Nathan “Nearest” Green encapsulates not only the craftsmanship of whiskey-making but also the power of collaboration and mentorship. Their story stands as a testament to the profound impact that shared knowledge and respect can have, leaving a legacy that continues to be celebrated by whiskey enthusiasts and history aficionados alike.

Craftsmanship and Distillation Process

Uncle Nearest Whiskey stands out not only for its compelling narrative but also for its commitment to craftsmanship. The distillation process adheres to traditional methods that pay homage to Tennessee’s whiskey heritage. The meticulous attention to detail and the emphasis on quality result in a range of spirits that epitomize excellence. Every corner of the facility tells a story, making it a haven for those who appreciate both historical significance and architectural ingenuity.

Significance and Impact

The brand’s significance reaches beyond whiskey, as it breaks barriers in the industry and champions diversity and inclusion. With a commitment to honoring Nathan Green’s legacy, Uncle Nearest Whiskey showcases the transformative power of acknowledging forgotten narratives.

Continuing the legacy forged by Nathan “Nearest” Green, the first Black master distiller in the United States, the brand now proudly ushers in a new era with its first Black female master blender, Victoria Eady Butler. This remarkable individual stands as a beacon of innovation and representation in the world of spirits. To add to the brand’s legacy, Victoria is the great-great-granddaughter of Green. 

Building upon the rich foundation laid by Nearest Green, her expertise not only celebrates a centuries-old tradition but also serves as an inspiration for diversity and equality within the industry. As she crafts exceptional spirits with unwavering dedication, she embodies the essence of progress and inclusion, carrying forward the spirit of Uncle Nearest into a future defined by excellence and opportunity. 

Tasting Uncle Nearest Whiskey

The heart of the Uncle Nearest experience lies in its exquisite range of offerings. Each whiskey has a story to tell and a distinct flavor profile that tantalizes the senses. From robust notes of caramel and vanilla to the subtle hints of spice, these spirits are a symphony of flavors that dance across the palate. 

The distillery has pre-planned all of their bottle releases for the next 15 years, making for a great line up to look forward to.

While Uncle Nearest is a whiskey distillery, they have also evolved with the times and have a non-alcoholic speakeasy on the grounds, a music stage, BBQ restaurant and the longest bar in the world (according to the Guiness Book of World Records). Guests can spend an entire day on the distillery grounds enjoying a range of flavors from food to whiskey.

Humble Baron – Restaurant at Uncle Nearest

Nestled at the heart of entertainment and culinary excellence, Humble Baron beckons you to a unique and unforgettable experience. With its jaw-dropping 518-foot long showpiece bar gracefully encircling an indoor stage, this venue redefines the art of dining and entertainment. Here, guests revel in elevated cuisine and expertly crafted cocktails while being serenaded by live music in a state-of-the-art setting.

Barrel House BBQ – Restaurant at Uncle Nearest

Nestled within the historic Nearest Green Distillery in the picturesque town of Shelbyville, Tennessee, Barrel House BBQ is a culinary gem that’s all about delivering a taste of perfection. Their claim to fame? The legendary ‘Grilled Cheese on Crack’ sandwich, a true revelation in comfort food. Voted as the #1 Grilled Cheese in Tennessee in 2017. You’re given the choice of American or Pepper Jack cheese, which they generously stuff with their mouth watering pit-smoked pulled pork, pulled chicken, or smoked sausage. To elevate the experience to a whole new level, they drizzle it with their tantalizing Habanero sauce, lovingly butter it, and grill it to crispy, gooey perfection. The result? Pure deliciousness that’s hard to resist. Barrel House BBQ at Uncle Nearest Distillery is not just a dining destination; it’s a flavorful journey that will leave you craving for more.

Philo + Frank’s — First Non-Alcoholic Speakeasy Designed to Educate

Through a red refrigerator inside the stand, visitors will find Philo + Frank’s, a non-alcoholic speakeasy that’s designed to educate guests about Tennessee’s role in the women’s suffrage movement and temperance movement.

Visiting Uncle Nearest Distillery

For travelers seeking an immersive encounter with history, craftsmanship, and culture, the Uncle Nearest Distillery distillery is a revelation. 

Shelbyville is known as the “Walking Horse Capital of the World”. The distillery itself was built on a walking horse farm, with the rickhouse erected on the old horse stall barn. The distillery was founded by Fawn Weaver, a businesswoman and author, who sought to celebrate Nathan Green’s legacy and contributions to the whiskey industry. The facility was designed to not only produce high-quality whiskey but also to educate visitors about the history of Nathan Green and his impact on American whiskey-making.

Plans of building an amphitheater and glamping grounds are on the horizon for the distillery, with the intent for it to be a family destination. 

Crafting Unforgettable Moments

Whether it’s sampling a signature whiskey cocktail at Humble Baron the world’s longest bar or enjoying a private tasting session guided by knowledgeable experts, Uncle Nearest Whiskey offers experiences that resonate with a diverse range of travelers. The brand’s dedication to history, quality, and community engagement makes it a perfect fit for those who seek more than just a standard distillery tour. The personalized attention and thoughtfully curated experiences cater to the tastes and preferences of all who walk through its doors.

As the sun sets over the Nashville skyline, the echoes of Uncle Nearest Whiskey’s past continue to resonate, inviting travelers to become part of a narrative that defies time. This is not just a destination; it’s a journey that celebrates heritage, craftsmanship, and the spirit of innovation. 

Uncork the legacy, savor the flavors, and let Uncle Nearest Whiskey transport you to a realm where history and taste intertwine in perfect harmony.  — Book with Mint Julep Experiences for Transportation from Nashville and Exclusive Experiences & Access at Uncle Nearest Distillery 

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Need To Know

10 Things You Should Know About Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey

words: Olivia White

Among historic names in whiskey like Basil Hayden, Jack Daniel, and Jim Beam is one that has gone forgotten for too long: Nathan “Nearest” Green, the first known African-American master distiller. Despite his groundbreaking contributions to distilling, including the advent of the Lincoln County Process , Green’s valuable additions to the American whiskey community were for many years lost to history, almost certainly due to the fact that when he started distilling, Uncle Nearest — as he was known by his close family and friends — was enslaved.

Seeking to rectify this overlooked piece of history, entrepreneur Fawn Weaver launched Uncle Nearest Whiskey in 2017 to honor Green and his vital role in American whiskey history. Despite its relative youth as a brand, Uncle Nearest has already racked up some impressive stats, named the fastest-growing American whiskey and most successful Black-owned spirits brand in history. Now that you know the basics, here are 10 things you should know about Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey .

Uncle Nearest whiskey was based off an enslaved man.

In the hills of Lynchburg, Tenn., once stood the Dan Hill Farm, the former home of Lutheran preacher Dan Call. Though a religious man, Call didn’t shy away from running a whiskey distilling operation on his own land, widely known to be produced by Nearest Green, a Black man enslaved by a business known as Landis & Green that “hired” him out to Dan Call for a fee. Following the ratification of the 13th Amendment — just a short time after Jasper Daniel had taken over the distillery’s operations — Daniel asked Green, nicknamed Uncle Nearest, to be his first master distiller, this time as a free man. The two worked together until Uncle Nearest retired from distilling years later.

Uncle Nearest taught Jack Daniel himself how to make Tennessee whiskey.

Prior to Call passing off ownership of the distillery, a seven-year-old orphan named Jasper Daniel was sent to work at the Call farm. Better known by his nickname Jack, the young boy quickly became entranced by the distilling operation on the farm and soon picked up work as Uncle Nearest’s apprentice and was taught the art of producing Tennessee whiskey. When the distillery changed hands from Call to Daniel in 1865, the distillery was renamed, and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey was born.

Approximately 15 years later, when the distillery was relocated to Cave Spring Hollow in Lynchburg, Tenn., where it still stands today, several of Green’s children and grandchildren joined the team. Despite the fact that Nearest Green and his family members became some of the most prominent landowners in Lynchburg — and were wealthier than many white families at the time — Nearest’s name was largely forgotten until the late 2010s.

Nearest Green perfected the ‘Lincoln County Process.’

A driving factor behind the popularity of Uncle Nearest’s whiskey was its smooth, maple-sweet flavors that made it unique from any other whiskey available at the time. In order to achieve those notes, Nearest Green perfected a means of charcoal filtering whiskey through sugar maple timbers — a practice still in use today — that is believed to have originated with enslaved individuals brought to the United States from West Africa, where charcoal was used to filter drinking water. Known as the Lincoln County Process — named after the location of the original Jack Daniel’s distillery — the filtering method involves priming two-by-two-inch sugar maple timbers before igniting them under distillation hoods to eliminate the possibility of sparks. Once charred, the charcoal pellets and whiskey are added to 10 foot vats where impurities are filtered out.

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey boasts the first Black female master blender in American whiskey.

Today, a number of Uncle Nearest’s descendants work at both Jack Daniel’s and Uncle Nearest, including Victoria Eady Butler, Nathan Green’s great-great-granddaughter and the first Black female master blender in American whiskey. When Butler joined the team in 2019, she was under the impression that she would be filling an administrative role but was surprised and “ extremely honored ” when, just two months into her time at the distillery, she was asked to blend the label’s first small-batch release. Her first blend, Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, was an immediate success with consumers and uncovered a passion she “didn’t know was there.” In 2021, Butler was named Master Blender of the Year at VinePair’s annual Next Wave awards.

Uncle Nearest is the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in history.

Despite debuting only six years ago, Uncle Nearest has garnered an impressive following, earning the title of fastest-growing American whiskey brand ever. Since its first release in 2017, Uncle Nearest has experienced over 3,000 percent growth in sales, with a growth rate of approximately 700 percent in 2022 alone. Uncle Nearest whiskey was also the most awarded American whiskey and bourbon brand three years in a row — 2019, 2020, and 2021 — and earned a spot in the top 1,000 companies featured on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list. Uncle Nearest was one of just six spirits brands included on the list.

It’s the most successful Black-owned distillery in the world.

In addition to being the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in history, last year, Uncle Nearest was officially named the most successful Black-owned distillery in the world. In December 2022, the brand announced that it had officially crossed the $100 million sales mark and is on track to more than double this already impressive sales figure by the end of 2023. Furthermore, in the 18 months since opening its newly expanded distillery on Juneteenth in 2021, Uncle Nearest has welcomed over 100,000 visitors. In an interview with Ebony Magazine , Butler expressed that, despite people waiting for the brand to fail, “Uncle Nearest and Nearest Green Distillery aren’t just here to stay, but grow and sustain at a pace never seen before in our industry.”

Uncle Nearest’s CEO had no prior distilling experience.

In 2016, Fawn Weaver was on a trip to Singapore with her husband when she came across a photo in The New York Times International Edition of Jack Daniel surrounded by his entire distilling team. Rather than the center of the photograph being reserved for Daniel, the position was instead filled by George Green, the only non-white man in the picture. Intrigued by the photograph and interested to learn more about the Black man in the photograph, Weaver traced the story back to Tennessee and discovered that it had been Nearest Green, George’s father, who had taught Jack all he knew. Shortly after, she purchased the 300-acre Dan Hill Farm where the story originated and opened the Nearest Green Distillery in nearby Shelbyville, despite having no previous experience in distilling.

Weaver convinced Jack Daniel’s to acknowledge Uncle Nearest’s role in its history.

Before Weaver uncovered his treasured history, Uncle Nearest’s name was nowhere to be found in whiskey histories. In a 2017 interview with The New York Times , Weaver revealed that once she landed in Lynchburg, she “went on three tours of [Jack Daniel’s] distillery, and nothing, not a mention of him.” Rather than staying in the region for only a few days, as planned, Weaver rented a house in Lynchburg where she spent the following weeks researching Uncle Nearest and his role in distilling history — poring over 10,000 documents, some of which were gathered from Green’s descendants still living in the area.

In March 2017, shortly after purchasing the farm, Weaver invited Mark I. McCallum — former executive vice president of Jack Daniel’s Brands at Brown-Forman — to the farm where the two spent hours going over Weaver’s finding. After the meeting, it was decided that Nearest Green would be placed at the forefront of Jack Daniel’s’ history and in May of the same year, he was officially named the first master distiller of Jack Daniel’s, bumping Jack himself to the No. 2 spot.

The brand is committed to promoting diversity in the American whiskey space.

When Weaver purchased Call’s former farmland and made the decision to build a whiskey brand in honor of Uncle Nearest’s legacy, supporting Green’s descendants and uplifting marginalized communities was of central importance. As such, when forming the whiskey label, Weaver established a board of all minorities and hired an exclusively female leadership team — breaking the molds built by her mostly white and male predecessors. Furthermore, Weaver is not just the CEO of Uncle Nearest Whiskey but also the founder of the Nearest Green Foundation , a nonprofit offering college scholarships to Nearest Green’s descendants.

The distillery also partnered with Jack Daniel’s to create the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative in 2020 to promote diversity and equity in American whiskey distilling. The two distilleries pledged a combined $5 million meant to create the Nearest Green School of Distilling — a STEM-based curriculum at Motlow State Community College with a focus on distilling. Additionally, the pledge is meant to develop a leadership acceleration program for apprenticeships and establish a business incubation program to provide resources to African American entrepreneurs in the spirits industry. Independently, Weaver also launched a Black business booster program with the goal of helping these brands improve their operations.

The brand launched an initiative to supply personal protective equipment to those in need at the start of the pandemic.

Before the United States government acknowledged the threat posed by Covid-19, Weaver was already rushing to help her community stay safe and healthy. Early on, when the government advised the public against wearing masks to slow the spread, Weaver allegedly wrote on Uncle Nearest’s internal Facebook page, “I’m calling bullshit,” and got to work protecting the safety of her and her employees and the safety of her community through the Brother’s Keeper Initiative. Through the initiative, Weaver purchased enough masks to supply her entire team at Uncle Nearest and — upon learning that many frontline workers did not have personal protective equipment — the distillery’s visitor center was transformed into a shipment hub where N95s and cloth masks were packaged and sent around the country to those who requested them. To date, the Nearest Green Foundation has distributed approximately 300,000 masks to frontline workers as well as the Black and Latinx communities, which have been particularly impacted by the health crisis.

Published: January 27, 2023

• 10 Things You Should Know About Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | VinePair
• https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-uncle-nearest-whiskey/
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• wbs_cat Spirit, wbs_type Tennessee Whiskey, wbs_type Whiskey, wbs_brand Uncle Nearest, American whiskey, history, need to know, Spirits
• 5 Steps to Throwing a Tropical Staycation, Featuring RumChata Pineapple Cream | VinePair
• https://vinepair.com/articles/tropical-staycation-rumchata-pineapple-cream/
• Julia Ernst
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Why is Sept. 5 so important for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey brand?

• Nearest Green Distillery is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• Distillery tour and tasting: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
• Nearest Green Distillery is located at 3125 U.S. Highway 231 S. in Shelbyville.
• More information: Visit UncleNearest.com.

SHELBYVILLE — The fifth of September is a special date for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey . It’s a date that stretches across three centuries, on a journey to preserve the legacy of America's first recorded African American master distiller, Nearest Green.

Once enslaved on a farm owned by pastor Dan Call, Nearest Green taught whiskey-making to a young Jack Daniel, whose birthday is celebrated as Sept. 5. 

Annie Bell Green Eady — Nearest Green's granddaughter — was born on Sept. 5, 1901. Although his name was relatively unknown to most outside his familial descendants, Eady made sure everyone she met, family or otherwise, knew about her grandfather.

Decades later, Eady's granddaughter, Victoria Eady Butler, serves as Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey's master blender. And she's still talking about her decedent. 

'Whiskey truly is in my blood':  Uncle Nearest master blender pays tribute to family's legacy

More than 165 years after Nearest Green revolutionized charcoal-filtered whiskey, his descendants and biggest supporters will gather this Sept. 5 to marvel over the future plans for the Middle Tennessee distillery.

As the popularity of Nearest Green’s story grows, so has the Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey brand. Travel sites have dubbed the distillery “Malt Disney,” Butler said, making it a destination, not just a tour stop, because there’s so much going on at the 325-acre property on Shelbyville Highway.

And to think. It all started with a newspaper article. 

In 2016, author Fawn Weaver was traveling overseas when she read the article about Nearest Green. She was drawn into the story of the once-enslaved master distiller and his relationship with an energetic neighbor and tutor, who later founded Jack Daniel's, a  Tennessee whiskey and global brand produced in nearby Lynchburg.

Within weeks, Weaver made it her mission to bring Nearest Green's name to the world, eventually launching Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey in 2017.

No longer in the shadow of another, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey has become one of the most awarded American whiskeys or bourbons for the past three years, raking in nearly 400 national and international awards since its launch. 

“She was proud of the story,” said Butler, who was brought on board in 2019 by Weaver, transforming her into America's first Black female master whiskey blender.

More: Record-breaking sales for Uncle Nearest whiskey, named for a slave who mentored Jack Daniel

Keeping legacy alive

The Sept. 5 date pops up again with the birth of Weaver in 1976. She also shares the birthday with New York Times reporter Clay Risen, who wrote the story about Nearest Green that spurred the brand's journey.

It was Daniel's close relationship with the formerly enslaved Green that solidified Tennessee's connection to whiskey. Using a method adapted from West African traditions, Green developed what became known as the "Lincoln County Process" of filtering whiskey through sugar maple charcoal.

When the distillery opened to the public in 2019, the date was — you guessed it — Sept. 5.

“Everything we do here at Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is done with purpose and on purpose. Nothing we do is happenstance,” said Butler, twice honored as Master Blender of the Year by Whisky Magazine's American Icons of Whiskey Awards.

A little more than six months after opening, the pandemic put a halt to tours. But the whiskey makers moved forward by procuring the product and transforming the former Tennessee walking horse breeding and training operation into a distillery.

Uncle Nearest Whiskey reopened June 19, 2021, on Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of the end of enslavement of African Americans that was first marked in 1866.

$3K bottles and star power: Tennessee whiskey barrels into ultra-premium liquor market

Nearest Green name is growing

Although it’s taken nearly 170 years to give Nearest Green the spotlight he deserves, Butler believes it was divine timing.

Over the past five years, Uncle Nearest has become the fastest-growing American spirit in history, she said, and the only major brand to honor an African-American man. The brand is also the only major whiskey company owned and led by an African-American woman.

Since reopening, weekend tours and tastings at Uncle Nearest Distillery are consistently booked. If you want to go, it’s best to make reservations in advance, Butler said. At the end of the 1 ½-hour tour of the operation, you’ll find an enormous welcome center and gift shop where you can buy Uncle Nearest-branded items, as well as the whiskey itself.

“People ask me a lot, ‘Are you bitter that it took so long?’ No, I'm not mad. Not bitter. Things happen when they are supposed to," Butler said. "I have learned to trust process that has been put before me."

Because of Weaver, Butler said, Nearest Green's name — and spirit — is alive on the lips of millions. 

Another addition to the property is a concession stand that sells Tennessee's most iconic snacks. And nearby is a secret door that leads visitors into Philo + Frank's, a non-alcoholic speakeasy designed to educate guests about Tennessee's role in the women's suffrage movement and temperance movement. 

Four months ago, Barrel House II barbecue and brews opened. (The first Barrel House is located in Lynchburg, home to Jack Daniel’s Distillery.)

In the near future, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey will release another expression of the brand. The release date for the mystery whiskey is under wraps.

There have been five brand variants produced, with Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey and Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch available for purchase at the distillery. Uncle Nearest is also available at liquor stores across the nation.

Sometime in the fall, Humble Baron, an on-site bar, restaurant and event venue, will open. The restaurant will feature a menu of elevated Southern cuisine, hand-picked by James Beard nominee Gerry Garvin, the star of the cooking show "Turn Up the Heat."  Renowned Atlanta chef Jay Craddick will lead the team. 

When completed, Butler believes the bar area will be certified as the longest in the world by Guinness World Records — more than 405 feet long.

In the years to come, Butler said plans into constructing on-site accommodations. 

"We're just going to keep going," Butler said. "We've just barely scratched the surface."

'We're still in pretty early days': A new wave of distillers write Tennessee whiskey's next chapter

NEAREST GREEN DISTILLERY: IF YOU GO

Hours of operation for Nearest Green Distillery, located at 3125 U.S. Highway 231 S. in Shelbyville, are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Distillery tour and tasting is 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Reservations are recommended, as tours often sell out. Cost for the 1 ½-hour tour is $35 for adults, $31.50 for seniors/military, $25 for non-drinking adults, $10 for ages 10 to 17 and free for ages 10 and younger.

The facilities are closed to the public Monday-Wednesday as well as most major holidays. Visit UncleNearest.com to book a tour and learn more.

Barrel House II restaurant serves from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Visit the website at  barrelhousebbq.com .

Plans are in the works to open Humble Baron restaurant in October. Visit  humblebaron.com .

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at [email protected]. Keep up with restaurant news by joining  Good Eats in the 'Boro (and beyond) on Facebook  and follow Murfreesboro Eats on TikTok .

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THE STORY OF NEAREST GREEN

Narrated by Emmy-Award winning actor Jeffrey Wright, this beautifully shot short film, telling the story of the first known African-American master distiller, is about much more than whiskey. It is a story of honor, respect, and an unlikely friendship that could be the greatest American story you never heard.

More About Uncle Nearest

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is inspired by the best whiskey-maker the world never knew, the first known African-American master distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green. The Uncle Nearest brand, wholly owned by Uncle Nearest, Inc., an all minority-led business, encompasses a premium aged whiskey with a blend of 8- to 14- year old, an 11-year-old minimum age single barrel, and a 7-year-old small batch offering, all mellowed using the Lincoln County Process, a unique filtering of bourbon through sugar maple charcoal. This process has been confirmed to have been brought to Tennessee by enslaved people and taught by Nearest Green to the most famous Tennessee Whiskey maker of all time. Uncle Nearest is distilled, aged, bottled and hand-labeled in Tennessee.

The company built its brand on its knack for sourcing the best of Tennessee whiskies and bourbons, and using its own non-temperature-controlled aging process and unique post-aging double filtration method that significantly changes the characteristics and profile of the original whiskies. Uncle Nearest is the most awarded new American premium whiskey brand in United States history, garnering 75 awards since its July 2017 debut, including being one of two brands named “World’s Best” at Whisky Magazine’s 2019 World Whiskies Awards, and earning 15 Best in Class. Cigar & Spirits Magazine also named Uncle Nearest one of the “Top 5 Whiskies in the World.”

The whiskey is currently available in all 50 states and 12 countries (while shipping into a total of 148 countries), in more than 10,000 stores, bars, restaurants and its 270-acre distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn., dubbed by a member of the press as “Malt Disney World.”

Read the full story

My Sugar Baby

Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

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Nearest Green Distillery Tour

Now Open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Merchandise

Tuxedo Adam Chapman // The Gibson, San Francisco, CA

The ingredients.

• 2 oz Uncle Nearest 1884
• .25 oz caramelized coconut simple syrup
• Toasted coconut cream to top

Whiskey is dripped through a tall coffee column, which is filled with a blend of coffee beans and bay nuts. Stir whiskey and syrup well. Pour into a fluted glass and top with warm coconut cream from an ISI canister.

Joshitai Daiquiri Kala Ellis // Oku, Nashville, TN

• 1.5 oz Uncle Nearest
• .75 oz lemon juice
• .75 oz plum maceration
• 1 dash tiki bitters
• 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters

Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well, strain into a coupe glass, garnish with a lemon zest.

Uncle's Paloma Ryan Bono // Club 77, Chicago, IL

• 1.75 oz Uncle Nearest 1856
• 1.5 oz Luxardo Aperitivo
• 1 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1.5 oz organic honey syrup
• Peychaud’s bitters

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well, strain into glass and garnish with a Peychaud’s bitters float.

Nearest to Happiness Jay Madison // One Flew South, Atlanta, GA

• 1.5 oz Uncle Nearest 1856
• 0.5 oz Lillet Rouge
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 3-4 blueberries

Muddle blueberries, combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well and pour into rocks glass. Garnish with 3 blueberries and a mint leaf.

Spicy Lady Frida Cantina // Beverly Hills, CA

• Muddle 1 slice of Jalepeño
• 0.75 oz lime juice
• 0.5 oz blood orange
• 0.5 oz agave

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well, strain over fresh ice. Served in a rocks glass with a half rim of special chipotle sea salt, garnish with blood orange segment.

No particular sign Jeremy Johnson // Meta, Louisville, KY

• .5 oz Umami syrup
• .5 oz Akashi Ume

Reverse dry shake, strain into a coupe or sherry glass. Garnish with 4 drops of Peychaud bitters.

Uncle's Garden Khadka Anjan // Grand Hyatt, Tokyo

• 45 ml Uncle Nearest 1856
• 15 ml St Germaine liqueur
• 45 ml pineapple juice
• 1 egg white

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well, strain into a coupe glass, garnish with pineapple leaf or edible flowers.

Uncle Fizz Matt Ryan // Atria, Edgartown, MA

• 1 oz apple juice
• 0.25 oz lemon juice
• Ginger beer to fill

Combine all, except ginger beer in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well. Fill glass with ice add ginger beer, then strain cocktail into glass.

Enter the Dragon Table 13 // Davenport Grand Hotel, Spokane, WA

• 2 oz Uncle Nearest 1856
• 2 drops of a sesame tincture
• 1 barspoon of ricemilk/orange blossom syrup blend
• 2 dashes of Skidmore bitters

Combine all ingredients, except ginger beer, into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well and strain into a collins glass over ice, fill with ginger beer, and stir gently.

Devil's Advocate Devil's Advocate

• 1 oz Ramazzotti
• .5 oz Dolin Sweet Vermouth
• .25 oz Cherry Heering
• .25 oz Cynar
• Top with Ramazzotti infused root beer foam

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well, strain over fresh ice in a Pilsner glass and top with Ramazzotti Root Beer Foam.

The Fall Classic The Fall Classic

• 1.5 oz Uncle Nearest 1884
• .5 oz Domaine De Canton ginger liquer
• 1 bar spoon of sour cherry jam
• 1 dash cinnamon
• .5 oz simple syrup
• .5 oz lemon juice
• 1 dash cherry bitters
• Luxardo cherry

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well and strain into glass and garnish with cherry.

Four Grain Gait Emma Tumman // British Bourbon Society, Reading, UK

• 50 ml Uncle Nearest 1856
• 15 ml Mozart dark chocolate liqueur
• 20 ml single cream
• 20 ml 4% milk

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake well and strain into a coupette glass and dust with ground cookie. Dairy cream and milk can be substituted for oat cream and milk.

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Tour Information

Key Details

• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• Free Cancellation
• Duration: 1 Hr 30 Mins
• Language: English
• Departure Time : 3:00 PM
• Departure Details : Sapozhkovskaya Ploshchad', Manezhnaya Ulitsa, 13/1, Moskva, Russia, 125009
• Return Details : Returns to original departure point
• Cancellation Policy : For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

See the best examples of underground Soviet-era architecture on a 1.5-hour walking tour of Moscows metro stations! With an expert guide at your side, visit five of Moscows must-see stations, including iconic Mayakovskaya , and learn all about Stalins visions for the former Soviet Union. Hear about the Metro-2, a secret line said to have been used by the government and Kgb , and see grandiose architecture, mosaics, sculptures and more!

Know More about this tour

Meet your expert guide outside the Kremlin and head underground with your Moscow metro ticket to discover the citys underground treasures. See the most interesting stations with extravagant Soviet-era architecture and hear the history surrounding the metro stations from your expert guide. Widely praised as one of Stalins finest architectural achievements, Moscow 's subway was created to symbolize his rising regime and a recognized empire. Learn about his successors, who later toned down the ornateness of the subways architecture, and see how the different eras are reflected in the character of each station. If you're lucky, you may even find the secret entrance to the unconfirmed Metro-2, a parallel underground system used by the government -- a mystery which has neither been denied nor confirmed today. Visit Revolution Square Station ( Ploschad revolyutsii ) and admire the 72 magnificent bronze sculptures that depict the people of the former Soviet Union, set underneath marble arches designed by the legendary Russian architect Alexey Dushkin. Another Dushkin-created station is Novoslobodskaya , and youll head here next to admire its dazzling stained-glass panels. Discover Baroque dcor, vaulted ceilings and chandeliers at Komsomolskaya Station, and then marvel at the grandiose and pompous design of Kurskaya Station -- one of the first stations to be built. Its design reflects Stalins communist ideals and youll note its left-wing slogans on the walls, next to mosaics that symbolize the victory of his regime over poverty and starvation. Finally, pay a visit to Mayakovskaya , the station thats named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky, and see why its often considered the most beautiful and iconic Moscow Metro station. Gaze upward at some 30 fascinating mosaics that depict Stalins vision for a bright Soviet future, and then admire the features of typical pre-World War II architecture that the station embodies. Your tour ends here.

English-speaking local guide

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking

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Traveler Reviews

It was an amazing tour and an amazing metro, very much enjoyed it and the tour guide Ana was great !

Really excellent tour of the beautiful Moscow metro with an excellent guide who told us very interesting additional information as we went round.

Definitely do this if you’re in Moscow.

We were surprised at how interesting and beautiful the Moscow metro stations are. We had a great guide who spoke excellent English and explained lots of history associated with the stations.

Loved the tour of Moscow metro stations. The architecture inside the metro stations is gorgeous. Very informative tour guide. Definitely recommend this trip when you are in Moscow

Very informative and fun tour, Nick was a great guide, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Meeting point was easy to find.

Well, honestly I always wanted to visit Moscows metro.The whole experience was incredible, the knowledge of the guide was very good too.Maybe you cannot see the whole thing, but note there are more interesting stations than you can see In just some hours

Probably one of the best tours I have ever been on. Each train station was so unique and beautiful.

Very interesting tour with great guides

My guide Ana was amazing!! So nice and informative. She spoke perfect Spanish and English.

Interesting and fun walk!