Victoria Eady Butler

Victoria Eady Butler’s story is one of heritage, passion, and unparalleled achievement. Raised in the close-knit community of Lynchburg, Tennessee, she grew up deeply connected to her roots as the great-great-granddaughter of Nathan “Nearest” Green, his granddaughter was her grandmother. Nearest was the first known African American master distiller who taught Jack Daniel the craft of whiskey making. Lynchburg’s charm, her family’s enduring legacy, and a strong spiritual foundation shaped Victoria’s character and ambition.

She and her oldest sister were the oldest of the 7 siblings. They lived with her grandmother, Annie Bell Green Eady, and her aunt, Geneva “Sis” Eady, while her mother and other siblings lived in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Butler believed that there was no better place to grow up than Lynchburg. Summers were spent laughing with cousins on her grandmother’s porch, and Christmas brought large family gatherings. The community of Berry Chapel AME Church played an equally formative role, fostering Victoria’s spiritual foundation and instilling values she carries to this day.

Victoria thrived in Lynchburg’s Moore County schools, where she became a cheerleader, built lifelong friendships, and made history as the first African American homecoming queen in 1979. Inspired by dreams of becoming a police commissioner or working in hostage negotiations, she pursued a degree in Criminal Justice at Middle Tennessee State University. During her college years, she became an active member of the Black Student Union, played intramural sports, and joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a connection she continues to cherish.

After graduating, Victoria began a distinguished 31-year career with the Department of Justice. As an Analytical Manager for the Regional Organized Crime Information Center in Nashville, she led and supervised teams of criminal and forensic analysts. Her contributions to law enforcement were profound, but in 2019, she decided it was time to retire and embrace a new chapter of her life.

That same year, Fawn Weaver, co-founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, asked Victoria to join Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, a company dedicated to honoring her great-great-grandfather’s legacy. Initially serving as Vice President of Administration, her natural talent for blending whiskey quickly emerged. Her first creation, Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, was met with resounding success, earning numerous awards and cementing her reputation as a visionary in the spirits industry. Victoria was soon named Master Blender, becoming the first African American woman to hold this title in the American spirits industry.

Under her leadership, Uncle Nearest has soared to international acclaim, with Butler earning prestigious accolades, including being named Master Blender of the Year four times. She sees her work as more than a profession—it is a tribute to her ancestor’s legacy. As Victoria often says, “While he [Nearest Green] perfected the distilling process, I possess the natural skill of blending whiskey. I’ve never been taught—I truly believe it’s in my blood.”

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Victoria is a devoted mother, a dedicated volunteer, and the Director of the Nearest Green Foundation, which provides scholarships to descendants of Nearest Green. Her efforts extend to initiatives like the Old Fashioned Challenge, which has raised millions for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Victoria Eady Butler’s life is a testament to the power of legacy, family, and passion. She honors the past while forging a path for future generations, blending history and innovation into every aspect of her extraordinary journey. 

Contributed by: Tiffany Talibah “Tee” Floyd, Chicago, Illinois

with support from M. J. (Michael) Jacobs, Tennessee Whiskey Section Editor, Smyrna, Tennessee