Uncle Nearest Founders, CEO and Largest Shareholder Sue Lender Over Alleged Smear Campaign

Complaint alleges Farm Credit Mid-America spread false accusations about the fast-growing whiskey brand to protect its own interests.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:05pm

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The founders, CEO and largest shareholder of Uncle Nearest, the world's most-awarded bourbon, have filed a lawsuit against Farm Credit Mid-America, alleging the lender engaged in a smear campaign by knowingly circulating false accusations about the company, including claims of missing inventory, financial misconduct, negative cash flow, and insolvency. The lawsuit claims the accusations were made to protect the lender's own bankers and deflect scrutiny from failures in the administration of a $102 million credit facility that helped finance the brand's rapid expansion.

Why it matters

The allegations of a smear campaign against one of the fastest-growing American whiskey brands raise concerns about the integrity of lending relationships and the potential misuse of information by financial institutions. The case highlights the vulnerability of businesses, even successful ones, to reputational damage from false claims, and the importance of accountability when lenders abuse their position of trust.

The details

According to the complaint, Farm Credit Mid-America circulated the accusations despite possessing documentation that contradicted the claims. The accusations were later repeated by national and industry media outlets, potentially causing significant damage to the brand's reputation. Prior to the alleged smear campaign, Uncle Nearest had become one of the fastest-growing American whiskey brands, rising into the Top 20 super-premium American whiskey brands in Nielsen rankings within five years.

  • The lawsuit was filed on March 17, 2026.

The players

Uncle Nearest

A fast-growing American whiskey brand that has been named the world's most-awarded bourbon for seven consecutive years from 2019 to 2025.

Fawn Weaver

The CEO and co-founder of Uncle Nearest, as well as the largest shareholder of the company.

Farm Credit Mid-America

The lender that is accused of engaging in a smear campaign against Uncle Nearest by circulating false accusations about the company.

James Williams

The chief litigator at Chehardy Sherman Williams, who is leading the litigation against Farm Credit Mid-America.

Victoria Eady Butler

The fifth-generation descendant of Nearest Green, the first known African American master distiller, and the four-time Master Blender of the Year for Uncle Nearest.

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What they’re saying

“The accusations circulated about us were not only false. The bank knew they were false when they made them, and they knew those accusations would strike directly at the credibility that allowed this brand to grow against all odds in this industry.”

— Fawn Weaver, CEO, Uncle Nearest (PRNewswire)

“False accusations can travel quickly, especially when they involve the founders of a nationally recognized brand. But when accusations are contradicted by the very records already in the accuser's possession, there must be accountability.”

— James Williams, Chief Litigator, Chehardy Sherman Williams (PRNewswire)

“Uncle Nearest did not become the seven-time most-awarded bourbon in the world by accident. This brand honors the legacy of my great-great-grandfather, the first known African American master distiller, the teacher and mentor to Jack Daniel, and the only known master distiller of Distillery No. 7. In 2017, we set out to ensure his name would be spoken worldwide in the same vein as Jack Daniel, Jim Beam, and Johnnie Walker. No obstacle placed in our path will prevent that.”

— Victoria Eady Butler, Fifth-Generation Descendant of Nearest Green, Four-Time Master Blender of the Year (PRNewswire)

What’s next

Through the Chapter 11 proceeding and related litigation, Uncle Nearest, Inc. will pursue claims and counterclaims against Farm Credit Mid-America arising from the administration of the $102 million credit facility.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential risks that successful businesses can face from lenders who may abuse their position of trust and power, and the importance of holding financial institutions accountable for spreading false information that can damage a company's reputation and growth.