Toasting to Legacy: Victoria Butler and the Art of Tennessee Whiskey sponsored by Ten Speed Press

Hey everyone,

What a way to close out the season! For our final episode, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with a true history-maker, Queen Victoria Butler, the master blender behind the incredible Uncle Nearest whiskey.

If you’ve ever sipped on Uncle Nearest, you know it’s more than just whiskey—it’s joy, history, and legacy in a bottle. This conversation was everything I hoped for and more, and I walked away feeling so inspired.

Here are a few things from our chat that I can’t stop thinking about:

• From the Department of Justice to Master Blender: Can you imagine leaving a long, successful career to step into a world you’ve never known? Queen Victoria shared her incredible journey of how she went from a stable government job to blending the first batch of Uncle Nearest 1884 whiskey just 60 days after joining the team. It’s a powerful reminder that our lives have many chapters, and it’s never too late to embrace a new calling.

• Whiskey is in Her Blood: Queen Victoria is the great-great-granddaughter of Nathan "Nearest" Green, the first-ever African American master distiller. She talked about how this legacy flows through her veins. While she didn’t have formal training, she trusted her palate, her curiosity, and the support of her team to grow into her role. It really makes you think about the gifts we inherit from our ancestors.

• Leading with Joy: We talked about how Black women are so often portrayed through a lens of struggle. But the Uncle Nearest brand is built on joy, pride, and community. It’s a space where Black women are thriving, leading, and creating something beautiful. That joy is their secret ingredient, and you can truly feel it.

• Building a Lasting Legacy: What does it mean to carry a legacy forward? Queen Victoria isn’t just preserving her great-great-grandfather’s story; she’s adding her own chapter as the first African American female master blender. We talked about what she hopes people will remember 100 years from now and how the family is already preparing the next generation to continue the tradition.

This conversation was the perfect blend of history, inspiration, and, of course, fantastic whiskey. It will challenge you to think about your own legacy and the magic you bring to the world.

Pour yourself a glass of something nice and tune in to the season finale. I promise you’ll love it.

Thank you so much for being part of the Afros and Knives community this season. It’s an honor to hold this space and share these sacred stories with you. I can’t wait to be back with you for the next one.

Take care, Tiffani

Episode Sponsor: Ten Speed Press