Uncle Nearest is planning to build the Nearest Green Distillery at the Tennessee Walking Horse Site in Shelbyville, US.

The distillery project was approved by a legislative body in Bedford County. It will be built in honour of Nathan Green, who is reported to be the first African-American master distiller on record in the US.

In addition to the distillery, the whiskey maker also plans to build a tasting room, a music venue and an event centre at the site.

Uncle Nearest currently owns a 313-acre farm, which is located on the site of the original Jack Daniel Distillery.

“In addition to the distillery, the whiskey maker also plans to build a tasting room, a music venue and an event centre at the site.”

Uncle Nearest Whiskey sales and marketing vice-president Kate Jerkens said: “We know most expected us to build at the historic Dan Call Farm. But if you’ve ever been to Lynchburg, you know it’s Jack Daniel country.

“They’ve spent more than a century and a lot of marketing dollars putting Lynchburg on the map. We decided to build outside of Lynchburg for a few reasons. One was our enormous respect for Jack Daniel, making sure we always reciprocate the respect he paid to Nearest and Nearest’s children.

“Another was the opportunity to broaden regional economic benefits through the creation of new and exciting opportunities in the neighbouring community of Shelbyville, as the Tennessee Whiskey market and tourist activity expand.”

As per the project plan, the company intends to restore 270 acres of Sand Creek Farms’ land and plant corn over 100 acres of land, which will be named The Field of Dreams.