Fairmont Honors Pioneering Whiskey Distiller, Unveils Nearest Green Suite

The Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown has unveiled its Nearest Green Suite, a luxurious new accommodation celebrating the legacy of Nearest Green, the formerly enslaved master distiller who played a foundational role in American whiskey history.

This collaboration with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey was announced by Fairmont’s General Manager and Regional Vice President, Mark Huntley, marking a significant tribute to Green’s contributions to the spirits industry.

The inspiration behind the suite stems from Nearest Green’s remarkable story. As the first African American master distiller on record in the United States, Green taught his craft to Jack Daniel and later became the first master distiller at the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey Distillery. His legacy, long overlooked, has been brought to the forefront through the efforts of Uncle Nearest Founder and CEO Fawn Weaver and Nearest Green’s great-great-granddaughter, Uncle Nearest Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler, both of whom collaborated on the suite’s concept.

“From the very beginning, the Fairmont Washington, D.C. has been part of our whiskey family, and their support has meant the world to us,” said Weaver. “DC is bursting with history and culture, and having Nearest’s legacy cemented in this city is such a special way to celebrate and honor a man who contributed so much to American whiskey history.”

“The Nearest Green Suite at Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown is a powerful tribute to the man whose contributions forever changed the whiskey industry,” added Butler. “This space represents history, excellence, and a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.”

Tribute to a Trailblazer

Located on the hotel’s exclusive Fairmont Gold Floor, the 1,500-square-foot Nearest Green Suite overlooks the property’s lush courtyard garden. The design is a balance of freshness and grandeur, combining a neutral and green color palette and maximizing natural light. The entryway makes an immediate impression with dark-stained wood flooring and opulent gold wallcoverings, while the parlor boasts an expansive living and dining area illuminated by alabaster chandeliers.

The suite’s king bedroom features a plush bed, serene spa-like bathroom and powder room, and a spacious walk-in closet with a dedicated vanity. For guests seeking refined leisure, a lacquered Macassar ebony game table offers chess, backgammon, dominoes, and cards.

Guests staying in the Nearest Green Suite will receive exclusive amenities, including a bottle of Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey signed by Butler as well as a signed copy of Love & Whiskey, written by Weaver. Additionally, a portion of each stay will be donated to the Nearest Green Legacy Scholarship, which provides full, first-time college scholarships to Green’s direct descendants.

A Legacy of Spirit

A highlight at the unveiling of the suite was a short film narrated by Emmy Award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright, bringing Green’s story to life for visitors. This immersive tribute ensures that Green’s contributions to American whiskey history remain widely recognized.

As the pioneer spirits brand to bear the name of a Black American, Uncle Nearest has become the most awarded straight bourbon and Tennessee whiskey brand in recent years, earning over 1,450 accolades since its 2017 launch. The Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, is now the seventh most visited distillery in the world.