Fawn Weaver, the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, is facing intensified public scrutiny this week after an interaction with a supporter amplified existing tensions around her company’s legal and financial challenges. Critics say Weaver’s outreach to supporters crossed a line between advocacy and controversy, fueling a backlash across social media and business circles.
Weaver, best known for building the award-winning Uncle Nearest whiskey brand, urged followers recently to bolster sales of her products as part of what she’s called an effort to “clear the shelves.” That plea came amid a months-long legal battle over a $108 million lawsuit filed by Farm Credit Mid-America, which alleges Uncle Nearest defaulted on multiple loan agreements — including overstating barrel inventory used as collateral.
“What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good,” Weaver said, addressing her roughly 288,000 Instagram followers in a video clip that was widely shared online. “Keep clearing the shelves. Buy Uncle Nearest products. Let’s show the world that this brand still stands.”
But the post drew sharp criticism from some supporters and observers who said the plea was ill-timed and risked violating a federal gag order tied to the litigation. A federal judge imposed restrictions earlier this year to curb public commentary by the parties about the case while it proceeds.
In response to criticism, Weaver defended her message.
“I built this company, I own this company, I run this company,” she said in a follow-up statement. “I trust the truth will get as much attention as the intentional misleadings and hit pieces.”
Supporters Rally, Critics Push Back
Not all of the backlash has focused on legal technicalities. Some longtime fans expressed frustration that Weaver’s public appeals have made a complex financial dispute even more personal.
“She’s always spoken passionately about this brand and its legacy,” said local whiskey enthusiast Jerome Keaton. “But mixing a business crisis with a call to action feels like it’s asking supporters to pick a side in something most of us don’t really understand.”
Weaver’s critics also argue that her public interaction with supporters has overshadowed broader questions about the company’s finances and leadership priorities. An opinion column published this year accused Weaver of prioritizing public persona over careful business management — a critique that has resonated with some detractors.
Supporters have pushed back, calling much of the criticism unfair.
“She’s facing enormous pressure,” said Ginny Reynolds, a small-business advocate familiar with the spirits industry. “Competing interests — legal, financial and cultural — all converge here. Her call to supporters is just another form of grassroots engagement.”
Uncle Nearest’s lawsuit remains pending in U.S. District Court in eastern Tennessee, where a judge must still decide on motions related to receivership and control of company assets. Legal filings suggest the dispute could redefine how much control Weaver retains during the process.