051 Master Blender: A History Lesson on Faith and Coming Into Your Own
Uncle Nearest Master Blender extraordinaire Victoria Eady Butler joins Candace and Tanorria on the show to share about the luxury whiskey brand Uncle Nearest. The trio chat about the history of bourbon whiskey and how Black creators are always setting trends.
Uncle Nearest’s Master Blender is Victoria Eady Butler, great-great-granddaughter of Nearest Green, the first African American Master Blender for a major spirit brand. Prior to Uncle Nearest, Butler worked as an Analytical Manager with the Regional Organized Crime Information Center in Nashville. Shortly after retirement, Fawn Weaver approached her about becoming involved with Uncle Nearest to continue her family legacy firsthand and help concrete Nearest’s name in history. After the success of her blending the first two batches of Uncle Nearest 1884, Butler was appointed Master Blender in November 2019. She has since gone on to sharpen her skills within the whiskey industry, becoming the Executive Bourbon Steward through Stave & Thief Society in Louisville, Kentucky. As Master Blender, Butler oversees the selection and blending process of Uncle Nearest whiskeys. She currently serves as a member of Uncle Nearest’s executive team and oversees the Nearest Green Foundation alongside CEO Fawn Weaver. Victoria is the first person to be awarded the Master Blender of the Year title at Whisky Magazine's American Icons of Whisky Awards, and in 2021, she was the first female ever to be awarded the Master Blender of the Year title at the competition. She has also been named Master Blender of the Year by VinePair and The Spirits Business.
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