Author: Tee Johnson

In a dramatic turn for one of the spirits industry’s most celebrated success stories, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey—the Black- and woman-owned brand that skyrocketed to become America’s second-best-selling Tennessee whiskey—is preparing to offload key non-core assets as part of a court-mandated receivership.

The move, detailed in recent court filings, comes amid ongoing financial restructuring efforts and fresh allegations from founder Fawn Weaver of a targeted “smear campaign” by the company’s lender.

New Troubles Rock Uncle Nearest Brand

For consumers, the news signals potential changes to the brand’s ambitious expansions but reassurance that its flagship whiskeys will remain on shelves.

A Rapid Rise Meets Financial HeadwindsLaunched in 2017 by author and entrepreneur Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest honors Nathan “Nearest” Green, the formerly enslaved master distiller who taught Jack Daniel the art of whiskey-making in the late 1800s.

The brand’s story of reclaiming Black contributions to American distilling resonated deeply, propelling it from a niche player to a powerhouse with multiple awards, including “Whiskey of the Year” nods from Whisky Advocate and Robb Report.

Despite a post-pandemic slump in overall alcohol sales, Uncle Nearest reported robust growth, expanding beyond whiskey into vodka and cognac while amassing real estate holdings like a Tennessee farm and a French chateau.

But beneath the accolades lay mounting pressures.

Allegations of Mismanagement

In July 2025, lender Farm Credit Mid-America filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, accusing the company of defaulting on over $108 million in loans.

The complaint alleged misuse of funds, including a $2 million purchase of a Martha’s Vineyard estate in 2023, and the sale of discounted futures contracts.

By August 22, a federal judge placed Uncle Nearest into receivership, appointing Phillip G. Young Jr. to oversee operations and safeguard assets.

Young’s initial report, filed October 1, painted a cautiously optimistic picture: No evidence of financial impropriety by Weaver, her husband Keith, or current management was found, and a 13-week budget showed revenues sufficient to cover operating costs—minus $2.5 million in one-time fees covered by short-term lender funding.

Affects on the Atlanta Market

With non-core assets like the Cognac venture and vodka line on the auction block, how might this financial turbulence touch down in the Peach State?

Here’s a breakdown of the likely effects on Atlanta consumers, retailers, and the local market.

Steady Supply, But Watch for Pricing Tweaks

The good news for Atlanta imbibers: Uncle Nearest’s flagship whiskeys—think the bold 100-proof expression or the barrel-strength 1856—aren’t going anywhere soon.

The receiver’s October report emphasizes the core business’s “long-term viability,” with barrel inventories verified and distribution partnerships intact, including with major Georgia players like Total Wine & More, where bottles fly off shelves at competitive prices.

Atlanta’s robust network of liquor stores, bars, and restaurants (over 250 retail spots stock similar premium whiskeys) should see no immediate shortages, as the restructuring focuses on shedding peripheral holdings rather than disrupting production at the Shelbyville, Tennessee distillery.

That said, asset sales could indirectly nudge pricing.

Liquidating the French Cognac estate and Square One vodka might generate quick cash—potentially $15-25 million from the Cognac alone—to stabilize operations, but it could also mean tighter marketing budgets.

In a market like Atlanta, where premium spirits prices have held steady post-pandemic (Georgia’s overall alcohol sales rebounded 8% in 2024 per state data), a 5-10% uptick isn’t out of the question if operational efficiencies lag.

Local fans grabbing a bottle at Midtown’s Highland Package or Buckhead’s Eagle Wine & Spirits might notice subtle shifts by early 2026.

To date, the receiver has trimmed the workforce by 13% (12 employees), repaired ties with Farm Credit, and verified barrel inventories with partner Tennessee Distilling Group.

Asset Sales on the Horizon: Cognac, Vodka, and Beyond

Central to the restructuring is a strategic divestiture of “non-income-producing” assets, aimed at injecting cash without gutting the core business. High on the list: the nascent Cognac venture.

Uncle Nearest acquired Domaine Saint Martin—a historic vineyard and estate in Cognac, France—in 2023, with plans to debut a premium Cognac line in 2024.

But with launch costs estimated at $15-25 million and the company cash-strapped, the receiver recommends liquidation. One formal offer and two inquiries are already in play, with a court motion for sale expected soon.

Other targets include the vodka arm, Square One Organic Spirits (snapped up in May 2024), and real estate parcels such as the controversial Martha’s Vineyard property, a Bedford County, Tennessee, holding, and additional French assets tied to the chateau.

“A fire sale is not anticipated,” Young’s report noted, emphasizing that these moves could pave the way for a swift exit from receivership by Q1 2026.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy remains a tool in the toolkit for reorganization, but liquidation under Chapter 7 is off the table.

The receiver stressed the brand’s “long-term viability” as a going concern, with its whiskey lineup—anchored by the 100-proof flagship and barrel-proof expressions—proving resilient even in tough markets.

Weaver Fires Back: ‘Smear Campaign’ Allegations Rock the Narrative

The plot thickened today at the Inc. 5000 Conference in Phoenix, where Weaver took the stage for a fireside chat titled “Reclaiming Your Company in Turbulent Times.”

In a candid address, the CEO accused Farm Credit of orchestrating a reputational hit job, spotlighting the Martha’s Vineyard estate as a ploy to sway the Tennessee judge.

“Their hope was that the judge would see it, would accept the smear, and would turn over keys of my company to them,” Weaver declared, dismissing the property as anything but a vacation retreat and highlighting her California roots.

Weaver and Uncle Nearest have countered in court filings that the lender overlooked key context, failed to secure liens on seven of eight collateral properties (including Martha’s Vineyard), and even praised the acquisition during a 2023 visit by Farm Credit execs—complete with a company Gospel Brunch.

She alleged fraud by a former CFO and vowed to submit more evidence, adding, “I still have not filed anything.”

The Weavers have recused themselves from day-to-day management during receivership but remain vocal advocates for the brand’s mission.

What This Means for Consumers: Stability for Whiskey Lovers, Uncertainty for Expansions

For the everyday imbiber, the immediate outlook is steady: Uncle Nearest’s core Tennessee whiskeys, distilled in partnership with Uncle Nearest’s Distillery in Shelbyville and aged to perfection, face no existential threat.

The brand’s distribution remains intact, with bottles available nationwide and online, and its cultural cachet—fueled by collaborations like the Jack Daniel’s diversity push—intact.

“The odds are very good for the company to successfully emerge,” the receiver affirmed, signaling no supply disruptions on the horizon.That said, fans of Uncle Nearest’s bolder forays may feel the pinch.

The Cognac and vodka lines, still in early stages, could change hands, potentially altering branding, availability, or quality under new ownership. Real estate sales might indirectly fund innovations, but they underscore the brand’s pivot back to its whiskey roots amid a cooling premium spirits market.

As Weaver put it in Phoenix: “Every entrepreneur is going to have a moment… The only difference between those who have been the most successful… and those who have failed are those who gave up in the in between.”

For Uncle Nearest, this chapter tests that resilience—and for consumers, it’s a reminder that even the spirits world’s rising stars aren’t immune to turbulence.

Stay tuned as bids roll in and court dates loom; the nearest pour might just taste a little different.

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Fresh architectural renderings released this week paint a vivid picture of The Stitch, the transformative highway-capping project poised to knit together Atlanta’s downtown and midtown neighborhoods with nearly 17 acres of lush greenspace.

Unveiled by Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) during the third week of October, the updated visuals highlight a more streamlined Phase 1 design, featuring interactive playgrounds, misty water features, and shaded pavilions that promise to turn a concrete scar into a vibrant community hub.

New Renderings Update The Stitch

The renderings, crafted by Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects in collaboration with WSP engineers and Hargreaves Jones landscape architects, depict a compact greenspace bounded by Peachtree Street to the west, Courtland Street to the east, Ralph McGill Boulevard to the south, and the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church campus to the north.

Gone is the sprawl of earlier concepts; this revised Phase 1 shrinks from a previously planned 5.7 acres to a more focused footprint, emphasizing high-impact elements like a large contemporary playground, an interactive “Fog Forest” water fountain that can generate ethereal mists, winding pathways through gardens, and a performance pavilion for events and shade.

Social gathering spots and forested areas round out the vision, all elevated above the bustling Downtown Connector (I-75/85) on a new 450-foot bridge spanning the interstates between the existing Peachtree and Courtland Street bridges.

“This is more than just a park—it’s a once-in-a-generation infrastructure project that will reshape the heart of downtown Atlanta,” said LaChandra Burks, a key collaborator with city officials. “With better roads, paths, and bike lanes, we’ll make it easier for Atlantans to live, work, and play in this great city.”

The announcement comes on the heels of a financial lifeline for the long-gestating initiative.

In July, the project suffered a blow when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—signed into law by President Donald Trump—rescinded $151.4 million in federal grants originally awarded in 2024, slashing funding to just over $6 million.

Undeterred, organizers rallied to secure $50 million through the newly established Stitch Special Services District, approved by the Atlanta City Council in April.

This funding, drawn from property taxes on nearby owners (modeled after mechanisms for the Atlanta Beltline and The Battery Atlanta), will propel design work and cover operations, maintenance, and programming. 10

Jack Cebe, director of The Stitch, emphasized the momentum: “Funding is secured, with $50 million allocated to advance design and construction and the Stitch Special Services District providing a dedicated operations funding stream.

Today, the vision is no longer abstract. Together with our great partners, we’re implementing the Stitch Master Plan to ignite an estimated $5 billion in private sector investment and $9 billion in economic impact.”

The Stitch aims to cap and partially tunnel a half-mile stretch of the Connector, healing a 60-year-old divide that has isolated Black neighborhoods like Buttermilk Bottom and Sweet Auburn from the city’s core since the highway’s construction in the 1950s.

Beyond Phase 1, future expansions will stretch toward the Civic Center MARTA Station and Baker-Highland Connector, incorporating broad tree canopies, expansive lawns, public art installations, a dog park, and even a skate park.

The full build-out, estimated at $713 million, could take until 2036, but CAP projects it will unlock 25,000 new homes (including 3,000 to 3,400 affordable units), 4,500 jobs, and a surge in parkland access—boosting the current ratio from 7 acres per 1,000 residents to levels that enhance mental and physical health citywide.

To help residents envision the future, CAP has installed an augmented reality mural on the Medical Arts Building at 384 Peachtree St. NE, complete with a QR code for immersive previews.

Officials, including those from the Georgia Department of Transportation and Mayor Andre Dickens’ office, reaffirmed their commitment, targeting permits and shovel-ready status by mid-2026, with Phase 1 groundbreaking to follow in 2027 and completion around 2030.

A.J. Robinson, president of CAP and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, hailed the progress: “A downtown that’s more vibrant and connected than ever is taking shape.”

Final Word

As Atlanta grapples with urban renewal in the post-pandemic era, The Stitch stands as a beacon of equitable redevelopment, blending green innovation with economic revival.

For more details, visit the project’s interactive site or scan the AR mural downtown. Stay tuned to AtlantaFi.com for updates on this and other city-shaping initiatives.

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In a stunning development that’s rippling through the NBA and beyond, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were arrested Thursday, Oct. 23 as part of a sweeping federal investigation into illegal sports betting.

The probe, led by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, has ensnared at least six individuals so far, with more charges expected to be unveiled at a press conference later today.

FBI Betting Probe Snags NBA Stars

For Atlanta sports fans, the news hits close to home—not just because of the league-wide implications for teams like our own Atlanta Hawks, but amid Georgia’s heated debate over legalizing sports bettiing.

As state lawmakers consider bills that could put the issue to voters as early as next year, this high-profile scandal underscores the shadowy risks lurking in the gambling underworld.

“This is a stark reminder that even the pros aren’t immune,” said local gaming analyst Dr. Elena Vargas, who follows Georgia’s legislative push. “As we inch toward legalization, we need ironclad safeguards to prevent these kinds of manipulations from taking root here.”

The Arrests and the Trail of Suspicious Bets

Rozier, a former Charlotte Hornets star who was traded to Miami in January 2024, was apprehended at a hotel in Orlando, Florida, just ahead of the Heat’s matchup against the Magic.

Sources familiar with the case point to a March 23, 2023, game between the Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans as ground zero for the investigation.

That night, sportsbooks across multiple states flagged a barrage of unusual wagers—30 bets totaling $13,759 in under 46 minutes—placed by a professional bettor on the “under” for Rozier’s points, rebounds, and assists props.

Rozier, then with Charlotte, logged just 10 minutes before exiting with a foot injury, a move that sidelined him for the rest of the season and sparked immediate outcry from bettors on social media decrying “shady” activity.

Here’s the game in question:

The Heat guard’s attorney, Jim Trusty, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, noting that Rozier cooperated fully with FBI and NBA investigators starting in 2023. “Terry is innocent and looks forward to clearing his name,” Trusty told ESPN.

Billups, the 2004 NBA champion and current Blazers bench boss, was arrested in Portland on unrelated illegal gambling charges, though details remain scarce.

His involvement doesn’t appear tied to games he coached, but the case echoes the league’s ongoing crackdown on betting integrity.

This isn’t isolated: The probe links back to the 2024 lifetime ban of former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter for a similar prop-betting scheme, where he and accomplices pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.
In total, reports indicate up to 31 people could be implicated nationwide.

Why Atlanta Should Care: Hawks, Rivalries, and the Betting Boom

While neither Rozier nor Billups calls Georgia home, their arrests carry direct weight for Peach State hoops enthusiasts.

Rozier spent five seasons torching the Hawks as a Hornet, averaging 20.3 points per game in 14 matchups against Atlanta from 2019 to 2024—enough to make him a familiar (and frustrating) foe for Hawks fans at State Farm Arena.

With the 2025-26 season underway, the Heat visit Atlanta on December 15, a game now overshadowed by uncertainty.

Billups, meanwhile, has his own Southeast ties: As a Detroit Pistons legend, he orchestrated epic playoff battles against Atlanta in the early 2000s, including a 2008 Eastern Conference Finals sweep.

Today’s Blazers aren’t on the Hawks’ schedule this year, but the scandal’s NBA ripple effects could tighten league scrutiny on all teams.

Final Word

Bigger picture? Georgia’s sports betting landscape is on the cusp of transformation.

Despite daily fantasy sports being the only legal outlet for now, bills like House Bill 686 are gaining traction in the General Assembly, with a potential voter referendum eyed for 2026.

Proponents argue it could generate $300 million in annual revenue for education and infrastructure; critics, including faith-based groups, warn of addiction and crime spikes.

This FBI sweep—unveiled just days after a key legislative hearing on October 16—could sway the conversation.

“Events like this highlight why regulation matters,” Vargas added. “Georgia has a chance to learn from the feds’ playbook and build a system that’s transparent and player-protected from day one.”

The NBA has suspended comment pending the full charges, but commissioner Adam Silver has long championed strict anti-gambling policies since the league’s 2018 partnership with sportsbooks.

For now, Atlanta bettors—many crossing state lines to wager legally in neighboring Tennessee or Alabama—will watch warily as the league grapples with its evolving relationship to the $100 billion U.S. betting industry.

Stay tuned to AtlantaFi.com for updates as the press conference unfolds and Georgia’s gambling saga heats up. Have thoughts on sports betting in the Peach State? Sound off in the comments below.

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