by Sharelle B. McNair
January 26, 2026
The couple argues the measure is not nonetheless wanted with claims it’s hurting the model’s market, gross sales, and worth.
The battle over the receivership of the Black-owned whiskey model Uncle Nearest is heating up, as founders Fawn and Keith Weaver filed an emergency movement to expedite the evidentiary listening to, scheduled to find out whether or not the receivership remains to be wanted.
The Moore County Observer reviews the movement was filed Jan. 20 by Grant Sidney Inc., a non-public funding firm, and the married couple, with the U.S. District Courtroom for the Japanese District of Tennessee. The couple argues the measure isn’t nonetheless wanted, with claims it’s hurting the model’s market, gross sales, and worth. Within the rising case introduced on by Farm Credit score Mid-America, PCA, the Weavers search an expedited, multi-day evidentiary listening to on the pending movement to rethink the receivership.
The troubled whiskey model’s homeowners declare the receivership was imposed too shortly, with little to no discover or time. There was additionally allegedly an absence of a full presentation on the total issues of the problem. Asking for a two-day listening to within the subsequent two weeks, the Weavers argue that federal courts can change or terminate receiverships resulting from circumstantial adjustments and really feel the time is now.
Issues have been shaky for the Shelbyville-based model for the reason that firm’s fundamental lender, Farm Credit score Mid-America, filed a federal lawsuit in July 2025 claiming Uncle Nearest and the couple defaulted on over $108 million in loans and breached mortgage phrases.
The movement highlighted the model’s development previous to the receivership. In accordance with The Spirits Enterprise, all through the primary eight months of 2025, Uncle Nearest outperformed the US whiskey market total, however then issues took a flip. However after information of a receiver appointment, gross sales went from optimistic to an total decline, underperforming by greater than 18% in January 2026.
Fawn and Keith attribute the decline to operational disruptions, stock shortages, and an absence of category-specific experience in managing a premium whiskey model beneath receivership. “The continued delay dangers irreversible hurt to the corporate’s model and enterprise worth,” the submitting reads.
The Weavers additionally push that issues are strong at Uncle Nearest and {that a} compelled sale or liquidation-style course of might undervalue the enterprise. Through the listening to, the founders need to present documentation and supply testimony in hopes that the courtroom will make the best resolution. They’ve waved flags of concern concerning the receivership and lawsuits. One concern is how shortly a Farm Credit score officer permitted roughly $67 million in loans greater than 13 months earlier than the corporate sought a receiver.
The Weavers additionally declare the corporate had not been in default, and after lacking one cost in January 2024, Uncle Nearest gave $15 million to Farm Credit score earlier than the receivership.
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