Whiskey University has Instructors in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area:

Map of North Carolina with six counties highlighted in red, including Rutherford, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba, and Burke.

Our faculty currently serves areas in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (1,128,945); Union County, North Carolina(244,562); Cabarrus County, North Carolina (221,479); Iredell County, North Carolina (199,710); Rowan County, North Carolina (151,651); Stanly County, North Carolin (65,699); and Anson County, North Carolina (21,897) in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area. 

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Whiskey University’s Faculty

  • Lt. Col. Jeff Friar

  • Lt. Col. Lang Holding

  • Lt.Jr.Grd Dennis Iskra

  • Sgt. Marcus Lawhorn

  • Pvt. Julie Parker

  • Pvt. Stanley Parker

Click to see all STATE MARKETS

Sign with the text 'North Carolina' above a red silhouette map of North Carolina state.

Lt. Col. Jeffery Friar

Email address: Jeff.Friar@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Recruiter

A man in a gray blazer holding a framed certificate from Whiskey University, standing in front of a bar with shelves filled with various liquor bottles and glasses.

Lt. Col. Jeff Friar has been a member of Whiskey University since May 2021. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Friar is rapidly working his way through the entire seven degree program at warp speed. He has earned the highest title of a “Chartered Master Whiskey Taster” and has earned his Master of Arts Degree from Whiskey University with a Double Major in The Bourbon Capital Region and The Tennessee Whiskey Region.

Friar is a retired U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officer and currently an Engineering Program Manager for the City of Charlotte, NC working for the Aviation Department at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Jeff Friar was born in April 1959 in Western NC.  He met his wife Elaine while she was a student at Winthrop University, so fond memories of dates in Charlotte (back in the day) provided the reason to retire to the Queen City.  Lt. Col. Friar and Elaine have two adult children and one grandchild.

Jeff earned Bourbon Diploma on July 7th, 2021 and his Associate Degree after passing 19 classes on September 19, 2021. Friar is also a Recruiter for Whiskey University. He went on to earn his Bachelors of Science Degree with 29 classes, the title of "Certified Master Bourbon Taster" on November 16th, 2021. Friar earned the rank of Captain in the Bourbon Brigade with his Bachelors of Arts Degree on December 12th, 2021 after successfully completing 38 classes.

Due to recent events limiting entertainment opportunities outside the home, Jeff found a Whiskey University class on EventBrite.  He enjoyed it very much and soon took three more and he was invited to join the “Train the Trainers” contingent.  The courses speak to both his love of history and his love of bourbon.  Originally a Jack drinker from his college days, but as Jack changed, so did he.  Eventually he became a Knob Creek devotee.  Today his tastes are much broader encompassing many brands, but he prefers higher proof expressions.  His home bar includes over 700 bottles, mainly bourbon!  And after the history lessons from Whiskey University, Jeff is convinced that he is a direct descendant of Friar John Cor.  (Take Whiskey 101 or Scotch Whisky 221 to find out why!). Jeff was awarded the title of “Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster” and the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Bourbon Brigade when he passed his 57th credit course on June 5th, 2022.

Jeff has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

”Sr. Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

”Certified Bourbon Steward”

(from Stave & Thief Society)

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Band of Rebels, Rebel Yell Association

Wild Turkey’s Rare Breed Society Member

Alchemist Ambassador With Jefferson’s Bourbon

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A diploma cover with a black center, a gold border, and a gray outer border, with the text 'Master of Arts Degree' at the bottom.
Certificate of completion from Whiskey University awarded to Jeffery Friar, Master of Arts Degree with a Double Major in the Whiskey Row Region and the Tennessee Whiskey Region, granting the honorary title of Senior Chartered Master Bourbon Taster, signed by an official, dated June 1, 2022, with images of whiskey bottles and a whiskey emblem.
Four white circles with text inside. The first circle says 'Maker's Mark', 'Not Enrolled'. The second says 'Tenn Squire', 'Not Enrolled'. The third says '5 Keys Club', 'Not Enrolled'. The fourth says 'Coopers Club', 'Not Enrolled'.
Wooden Maker's Mark badge with laurel leaves, star, and 'S IV' in the center, and the text 'Member of Maker's Mark Ambassador' around the edge.
Logo with text promoting Whiskey Thieves, a member of Sagamore Spirit, featuring a circular design with black, white, and red elements.
Seal of the Tennessee Squire membership, featuring a horse and rider, with text indicating membership of Tennessee Squire Association.
A logo with the text 'Member of Blade and Bow' at the top and bottom, and '5 Keys Club' at the bottom in gray. The logo features a central emblem with crossed keys and the words 'Stitzel Weller Distillery' and 'Established 1935'.
Coopers Club logo with green circle, gold and white text, and a branch illustration, associated with Nelson's Green Brier Distillery.
Six gray circles with black text listing different groups: Whisk Thieves, Kings Circle, Whis Society, Family Tree, Whisk Baron, and High West; all labeled as not enrolled.
Seal for the High West Distillery and Tasting Room in Park City, Utah, with text indicating membership and a stylized emblem of two hands holding a mountain range.
Seal that reads 'Member of Cherry Heaven Hill District' with 'Bardstown Society' written below.
Logo for Wilderness Trail Distillery featuring a stylized tree, the initials WT, and text indicating Wilder. Trail Family Tree.
Sign with text: 'Member of Wyoming Whiskey, Whiskey, Baron' with decorative lettering.
Membership badge for King’s Circle, featuring a fist bump logo with the right hand.

Lt. Col. Lang Holding

Email address: Lang@WhiskeyUniv.com

Whiskey University Recruiter

A man in a suit holding a framed certificate in front of a bar with various bottles of whiskey.

Lt. Col. Lang Holding has been a member of Whiskey University since March 2023. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Lang has rapidly worked his way through the entire seven-degree program within a year and a half of joining. He has earned the highest title of a “Chartered Master Whiskey Taster” by earning his Master of Arts Degree with a Double Major in The Bluegrass Region and The Tennessee Whiskey Region.

Lang is a native of Concord, NC, near Charlotte, where he was born in January of 1961.  After attending Wake Forest University for two years, he moved to Raleigh, NC with friends and took a short break from college life.  He then enrolled at North Carolina State University where he graduated with a BA degree in Business Management and a separate BA degree in Economics in May 1987.  After graduating from college, he returned to his hometown area and lives in Charlotte.  Having always been intrigued by the construction industry, he obtained his General Contractor’s license shortly after graduation and has been self-employed in the construction business ever since.  

As a younger man, Lang found himself occupied by numerous hobbies and interests and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 15 from the Boy Scouts of America. He is an avid sailor, equestrian, aviation enthusiast and enjoys deep sea fishing.  As a lover of all things “ocean”, he enjoys spending much time at the North and South Carolina coasts with friends and family.  Lang has two adult children.

Through the recommendation of a longtime friend and current WU member, Lang’s latest hobby began when he joined Whiskey University on March 15, 2023 and took his first course on May 16, 2023.  Since that time, he has plowed through the curriculum and has earned the rank of Lt. Col. with Whiskey University and has completed five of the eight degree Majors and the remaining three Majors should be completed by the end of 2024. Lang is a Recruiter for Whisky University and continues to build his bar of nearly 100 bottles of Bourbon, Rye, Tennessee Whiskey and other various whiskeys from around the world.

Lang has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

“Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

”Certified Bourbon Steward”

(from the Stave & Thief Society)

A whiskey-themed diploma certificate with decorative border, endorsed to John Langston Holding, recognizing completion of 57 whiskey classes, with images of various whiskey bottles and logos, including Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam.
Four white circles with black text inside. The first circle says 'Maker's Mark' and 'Not Enrolled'. The second circle says 'Tenn Squire' and 'Not Enrolled'. The third circle says '5 Keys Club' and 'Not Enrolled'. The fourth circle says 'Coopers Club' and 'Not Enrolled'.
A circular wooden sign with the text 'Maker's Mark' at the top, decorative laurel branches, a star, and the Roman numeral IV in the center, and 'A M BASSADOR' at the bottom.
Logo with text elements: MEMBER OF Whiskey THIEVES, SAGAMORE SPIRIT, RYE, and Whiskey Thieves.
Logo for Tennessee Squire, featuring a horse and rider inside a circular badge with the text 'Member of Tennessee Squire Association'.
Coopers Club membership badge for Nelson's Green Brier Distillery with green circular logo and gold accents.
Six circles with text inside, listing groups: Whisk Thieves, Kings Circle, Whis Society, Family Tree, Whisk Baron, and High West; all marked as not enrolled.
A graduation cap with a diploma and a scroll, text reading 'Master of Arts Degree' at the bottom.
A circular emblem with the text 'High West Distillery Park City Utah' surrounding a stylized graphic of two hands holding a mountain range and a zigzag line, with the words 'Member of High West Distillery' above and below.
Seal with the text 'Member of Cherry Heaven Hill District' and 'Bardstown Society' below.
Logo for Blade and Bone 5 Keys Club featuring text and a circular emblem with keys
Logo of Wilderness Trail Distillery featuring a stylized tree and the initials WT, with text 'Member of Wilderness Trail Distillery' and 'Wilder. Trail Family Tree'.
Logo with the text "Member of Wyoming Whiskey" and additional words "Whiskey" and "Baron" below.
Logo of Kings Circle featuring a crown and a right-handed fist with the text 'KING'S CIRCLE THE RIGHT HAND MAN' around it, and the name George Remus below.

Lt.Jr.Grd Dennis Iskra

Email address: Iskra@WhiskeyUniv.com

A man in a suit smiling and holding a glass of whiskey in a bar with liquor bottles on shelves behind him.

Dennis has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

”Certified Bourbon Taster”

(from the Whiskey University)

”Certified Bourbon Steward”

(from Stave & Thief Society)

A diploma from Whiskey University awarded to Dennis Iskra for completing the course of study in distilleries, granting the title 'Certified Bourbon Taster,' signed by Chester C. Queen, decorated with images of two whiskey bottles on the left and right sides, and a whiskey emblem at the bottom center.
A cozy home bar with shelves of various liquor bottles, a wooden table, several chairs, and a guitar hanging on the wall in a warm-lit room.
Four white circles, each with the names of different clubs and the text "Not Enrolled" beneath them: Maker's Mark, Tenn Squire, 5 Keys Club, Coopers Club.
Wooden circular token with black text and decorations. Top reads 'MEMBER OF,' center has 'S IV' surrounded by a star, and bottom says 'AMBASSADOR.' Encircled by a laurel wreath, with the words 'Maker's Mark' and 'A' at the bottom.
Brand logo with the text 'MEMBER OF Whiskey Thieves' featuring a circular design with the words 'Whiskey Thieves' and 'RYE' prominently displayed.
Logo of Tennessee Squire, a member of Tennessee Squire Association, featuring a horse and rider within a circular border.
Logo with text 'Member of Blade and Bow', featuring a circular emblem with five keys and the words 'Stitzel Weller Distillery Established 1935'
Carousel of six light gray circles with text inside, listing groups not enrolled in a program: Whisk Thieves, King Circle, WHIS Society, Family Tree, Whisk Baron, High West.
A framed certificate with a dark center and a brown background that reads "Associate of Science Degree" in white text.
Seal with text 'Member of High West Distillery, Park City, Utah - Tasting & Dine' and a logo of two hands holding a mountain with a line chart in the middle, and the words 'High West Distillery' around the top.
Text reading "MEMBER OF WYOMING WHISKEY" with "Whiskey" and "Baron" below.

Sgt. Marcus Lawhorn

Email address: MarcusL@WhiskeyUniv.com

Marcus has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

”Journeyman Bourbon Taster”

(from the Whiskey University)

”Certified Bourbon Steward”

(from Stave & Thief Society)

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Tennessee Squire With Jack Daniel’s

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Certificate from Whiskey University awarding Marcus Lauhorn a Bourbon Diploma in Bourbon Basic Studies, with decorative borders, two whiskey bottles on each side, and a signature at the bottom.
Four circle diagrams with the text: Maker's Mark - Not Enrolled, Tenn Squire - Not Enrolled, 5 Keys Club - Not Enrolled, Coopers Club - Not Enrolled.
Tennessee Squire membership badge with a horse and rider emblem and circular text reading 'Tennessee Squire Association'
Six gray circles with black text inside, listing various groups not enrolled in an organization: "WHISK THIEVES NOT ENROLLED," "KINGS CIRCLE NOT ENROLLED," "WHIS SOCIETY NOT ENROLLED," "FAMILY TREE NOT ENROLLED," "WHISK BARON NOT ENROLLED," and "HIGH WEST NOT ENROLLED."
A black chalkboard framed with a brown border and a gray outer frame, with the text 'Bourbon Diploma' written at the bottom.

Pvt. Julie Parker

Julie has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

“Apprentice Whiskey Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

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Tenn Whiskey Certificate with a blank space for a photo.
Certificate of completing whiskey studies awarded to Julie Parker, titled 'Bourbon Whiskey Certificate' from Whiskey University with signatures and logos.

Pvt. Stanley Parker

Stanley has the following “Designations” & Credentials:

“Apprentice Whiskey Taster”

(from Whiskey University)

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A Bourbon Whiskey Certificate with a black rectangular space in the center and text at the bottom reading 'Bourbon Whiskey Certificate'.
Whiskey University graduation certificate awarded to Stanley Parker for Bourbon Whiskey Certificate in General Whiskey Studies, dated September 7, 2025, with Whiskey University logo and signature.
Four white circles. The first circle says "Maker's Mark, Not Enrolled," the second says "Tenn Squire, Not Enrolled," the third says "5 Keys Club, Not Enrolled," and the fourth says "Coopers Club, Not Enrolled."
Logo for Whiskey Thieves featuring a black background with a red circle outline, displaying the words 'MEMBER OF' at the top, 'Whiskey Thieves' in the center, and 'Sagamore Spirit Rye' at the bottom.
A circular wooden sign with the text "Member of Maker's Mark Ambassador" and a star with the letters "S IV" in the center, surrounded by a laurel wreath design.
Six circles with words inside, each circle has the words "Whisk Thieves Not Enrolled," "Kings Circle Not Enrolled," "WHS Society Not Enrolled," "Family Tree Not Enrolled," "Whisk Baron Not Enrolled," and "High West Not Enrolled."

Cities or towns in this service area for Bourbon and Whiskey Tasting Classes include Charlotte, NC; Cornelius, NC; Davidson, NC; Huntersville, Matthews, NC; Mint Hill, NC; Pineville, NC; Monroe, NC; Fairview, NC; Hemby Bridge, Indian Trail, NC; JAARS, NC; Lake Park, NC; Marshville, NC; Marvin, NC; Mineral Springs, NC; Monroe, NC; Stallings, NC; Unionville, NC; Waxhaw, NC; Weddington, NC; Wesley Chapel, NC; Wingate, NC; Concord, NC; Harrisburg, NC; Kannapolis, NC; Midland, NC; and Mount Pleasant, NC.