Five Black Owned Whiskeys You Should Know

Black History Month is a fantastic time to spotlight Black-owned whiskey brands. But really, these whiskeys are worth paying attention to all year round. The makers bring a fresh perspective and rich cultural influences. Each brand has its own story, inviting whiskey lovers to explore new favorites that reflect the diversity of different cultures.

We’re lucky that we can find whiskey from many places around the world. And it’s been exciting to see American whiskey distillers and blenders grow and evolve, showcasing flavors from different regions nationwide and beyond.

Since the Black Bourbon Society kicked off in 2016 and Uncle Nearest released its first whiskey in 2017, the conversation around diversity in the whiskey industry has gained momentum. There are now more opportunities for diverse makers and owners, leading to some great new bottles that deserve a spot on our shelves.

Edmond’s Honor Straight Bourbon

86 Proof | $54.99

The Edmond’s Honor Bourbon is named after Edmond Albius, a child prodigy botanist from Réunion Island, who revolutionized vanilla cultivation while enslaved at age 12. Albius created a pollination technique that allowed vanilla to be cultivated around the world. Using a stick or grass blade, field hands lift the rostellum, the flap that separates the male anther from the female stigma, and then, with their thumbs, smear the sticky pollen from the anther over the stigma. Albius’s manual pollination method remains in use today. Beloved industry figure Tracie Franklin, the master blender for the Edmond’s Honor brand, felt inspired by Albius’ fascinating and powerful story. Franklin hopes this bourbon will be an inspiration to others to tell their own story.

This straight bourbon whiskey is finished in cognac casks infused with the essence of rich Madagascar vanilla. The nose is full of complex aromas. Brown sugar, baked biscuits, fruit, and baking spices. The texture is viscous and creamy, full-bodied, and warm. Bold flavors of rich baking spices, vanilla bean, candied nuts, and tropical fruit dominate. Warm honey and juicy orange come forward midway with rich complex flavors in a long finish. This is a flavorful bourbon that is easy to drink and welcoming to new bourbon drinkers and has enough complexity for seasoned bourbon lovers to enjoy.

Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey

100 Proof | $73.99

Nathan “Nearest” Green, known as Uncle Nearest, is the namesake of the Uncle Nearest brand. Green taught a young Jack Daniel to distill on the Dan Call farm. Once Daniels took over operations from Dan Call, Green worked for Daniels as his first Master Distiller. Since that time, over 150 years ago, there has always been a member of the Green family working at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Uncle Nearest’s founder, Fawn Weaver, brought this story to light in 2016. Green was soon acknowledged as the first African-American master distiller on record in the United States. The company began with their first release, an American whiskey, and has since launched over seven other whiskeys, built a distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, launched mentorship initiatives, and received hundreds of accolades.

This straight rye whiskey is made with a mash bill of 100 percent rye. On the nose, citrus, and earthy aromas come forward. Followed by black pepper, cinnamon, and oak present in the background. Dried fruit aromas waft in and out the more time spent nosing this whiskey. The initial flavors are typical rye flavors, which is what you hope for in a 100% rye whiskey. Lots of dry baking spices, a hint of black pepper, with warm honey and stone fruit with light maple syrup and smokey notes in the finish. For fans of American rye whiskey, this expression will hit the spot. Read more about Fawn Weaver.

Fior Blended Scotch

86 Proof | $41.99

As a lover of Scotch whisky, retired military veteran Eric Dominijanni found himself with an impressive collection of Scotch and an almost empty infinity bottle. Rather than starting a new infinity bottle, he reached out to a friend in the industry who helped him recreate the aromas, textures, and flavors of his infinity whisky and launched his own award-winning blended Scotch. Fior in Scottish Gaelic translates to “pure” and can also mean “true and clean”. The name is a nod to Fior’s blending process, which is void of any added coloring. Another pillar of the Fior brand is Dominijanni’s military service. For every bottle of Fior purchased, a donation is made to various veterans’ causes that are close to Dominijanni’s heart. Sounds like another excellent reason to drink whisky.

Fior is a high malt and grain blend of whiskies blended in small batches from Speyside and Highland Scotland. On the nose, Fior offers rich aromas, hearty maple with subtle chocolate. Comforting flavors of malt, baked bread, and chocolate are a pleasant addition to the roasted nuts and oaky flavors. Sweet malt, subtle oak, light toasted nuts, and chocolate finish the experience. It’s a comforting, flavorful whiskey with a fantastic mission behind the bottle.

Old Hillside Founder’s Select Straight Bourbon

90 Proof | $58.00

The first Kentucky Derby took place on May 17 of 1875. In that race, 13 of the 15 riders were African-American. Fifteen of the first 28 Kentucky derbies, in fact, were won by Black jockeys.

In 2020, the founders of the Old Hillside Bourbon Company launched their company, inspired by these jockeys and their stories, and aimed to honor these pioneers. When choosing a name for their brand, they reached into their own backstories and named the company after the Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina, which some founders attended. The brand’s first release with a limited release straight bourbon commemorated the high school’s centennial celebration, with proceeds benefiting the school.

This straight bourbon with a high corn mash bill was selected by the four founders and aged for five years. The nose is big and bold, with sweet aromas of baked apple and vanilla. Stone fruits like peaches and honey hit the palate with a lovely viscosity and overall mouthfeel. The vanilla appears mid palate with the baked apple, a hint of nutmeg and more sweetness. Baking spices and vanilla bean round out the lengthy finish. This bourbon is tasty and easy to drink at 90 proof. The flavors are approachable and welcoming.

SirDavis American Whisky

88 Proof | $89.99

Last but not least is the whisky that inspired gasps heard around the world. In the summer of 2024, the announcement was made that Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, also known as Queen Bey, was launching her own whiskey brand, SirDavis. If you’re anything like me, what stood out was not just another celebrity endorsing a product, but Queen Bey collaborating with renowned experts to create the whisky. Would this brand be different? The brand seemed headed in the right direction; Queen Bey’s influence could potentially welcome millions of women and people of diverse backgrounds to whiskey. The most important factor with any whiskey or whisky, no matter what the story may be, does it taste good?

Queen Bey is a big whisk(e)y fan and has a soft spot for Scotch and Japanese whisky. Apparently, she even refers to Japanese whisky in song lyrics. Queen Bey wanted an American whiskey to draw on her family’s Southern heritage, her Texas roots, and a nod to a great-grandfather who was a moonshiner during prohibition. Lumsden’s task: to develop a whisky with textures and flavors captivating a global audience, much like her music.

SirDavis is made of 51 percent rye and 49 percent malted barley, and is finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The nose is full of light pepper, hints of ginger and baking spices, with a subtle spiciness. The texture is light and bright. Notes of clove and nutmeg translate well from the aroma. Almond nougat and candied orange with shortbread cookies and subtle sweetness fill out the finish. This whisky is remarkably approachable for new whiskey drinkers but won’t leave whisky lovers disappointed. This whisky is easy to drink and feels crafted for sharing with friends. Right before it launched, SirDavis won Gold in the New York International Spirits Competition.