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EP 14 | Uncle Nearest Fallout, Stoli Valuations, K-Pop Demons and Dad Core

barrel inventory
Fawn Weaver
receivership
Tennessee whiskey
Uncle Nearest
whiskey valuation
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This week on The Octus Download, hosts Jason Sanjana and Kevin Eckhardt are joined by Patrick Mohan, Senior Director, Legal at Octus and our resident whiskey correspondent, to examine three distinct financial narratives: premium whiskey brand distress, rare bankruptcy cram down dynamics, and cross-border restructuring complexity.

The conversation begins with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, once the fastest-growing Black-owned and woman-owned spirits brand in U.S. history, now in court-ordered receivership following defaults and accounting irregularities. The company, founded by entrepreneur Fawn Weaver to honor Jack Daniel’s former master distiller Nearest Green, faces allegations of overstating barrel inventory by $21 million and improperly transferring a Martha’s Vineyard property away from lender collateral.

Key developments include:

  • Farm Credit lenders seeking immediate receivership over traditional Chapter 11 protection
  • CEO Fawn Weaver’s continued social media presence despite gag order warnings
  • Questions surrounding barrel valuation expertise in agricultural lending
  • Brand survival concerns given founder-centric marketing strategy

This case underscores a broader whiskey industry slowdown, with MGP reporting a 25% decline in brown liquor sales as consumers trade down from premium to more affordable options.

The episode then provides an update on Stoli’s Chapter 11 case, where debtors are pursuing a rare partial “dirt for debt” cram down plan against Fifth Third Bank. After five days of confirmation hearings, the case revives 1990s-era bankruptcy strategies that many thought had disappeared from modern practice.

From there Jason and Kevin turn to Oi in Brazil, where conflicting rulings in Brazilian courts and U.S. Chapter 15 recognition proceedings highlight the growing challenges of cross-border restructurings.

A satirical break from the Brazil–Miami Pipeline pokes fun at cross-border absurdities before the show closes with Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters. The film’s runaway success sparks a discussion on fandom, sincerity, and “dad core” parenting in the streaming era.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Produced and edited by two-time Emmy Award–winning producer Tanya Hubbard.

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