Compare
Uncle Nearest 1856 vs Jim Beam Black
Put Uncle Nearest 1856 next to Jim Beam Black and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Uncle Nearest 1856 | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 and Jim Beam Black do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Uncle Nearest 1856 Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/6 nuttiness: Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it with more proof behind it.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).