Bestselling author and entrepreneur Fawn Weaver, founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, has ignited a spirited conversation about the purity of American bourbon and additive-free tequilas in her Instagram series, Tequila Takedown.
Through a candid and heartfelt journey that began with her search for hope after a personal loss, Weaver’s “takedown” challenges claims that tequila is inherently purer than bourbon, advocating for transparency in the spirits industry.
In her recent post, Weaver shared her personal journey after the loss of her daughter, Brittany. Her search for solace led her to Don Julio 1942, Brittany’s favorite tequila, and eventually to her ongoing passion for pure, additive-free spirits.
But in the process, Weaver discovered an unsettling truth: not all tequilas, even some of the highest-regarded ones, are additive-free. This revelation fueled her quest to educate consumers and celebrate the purity of both bourbon and additive-free tequila.
In Tequila Takedown, Weaver shines a spotlight on the complex flavors that come naturally from these spirits without additives.
“Big Tequila has somehow convinced us that tequila is more pure, more clean than our native product of bourbon,” she said in her video message. “But the truth is, every pure bourbon is naturally sugar-free, carb-free, fat-free, and gluten-free,” she explained, debunking the myth that bourbon carries excess sugar and calories.
Weaver’s passion extends to her pride in bourbon as a distinctly American spirit. Her deep respect for additive-free tequilas reflects a broader appreciation for spirits that honor their heritage without artificial enhancements:
“When I go to Mexico, the pride on the Natives’ faces when they are offering me a pure tequila… I want us here in America to feel the same fervent pride every single time we pour a glass of our homegrown spirit. Bourbon.”
Recognizing that the tequila industry can no longer promote products as “additive-free” due to recent changes in regulations, Weaver has amplified a community-driven list of favorite additive-free tequilas shared by her followers.
“The first comment tags the 10 favorite additive-free tequilas,” she said, encouraging transparency and offering options for consumers who value natural products.
With Uncle Nearest breaking into the Top 100 best-selling spirits in America, Weaver’s words have added significance as she advocates for a return to bourbon’s roots.
“Cheers to additive-free tequilas…and to our homegrown spirit, bourbon,” Weaver toasted.
Her Tequila Takedown seeks to promote quality spirits and embodies a call for authenticity in the industry.
