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Uncle Nearest 1856 vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Put Uncle Nearest 1856 next to Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Uncle Nearest 1856 | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 does 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Uncle Nearest 1856 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).