Whiskey University has Instructors in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area:
Check on the pages in the Left Nav. Bar in this Section to find Faculty listed Geographically
Our faculty currently serves areas in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (1,128,945); Union County, North Carolina (244,562); and Cabarrus County, North Carolina (221,479) in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area.
Whiskey University’s Faculty
1.) Lt. Col. Jeff Friar
2.) Maj. Lang Holding
3.) Lt. Dennis Iskra
4.) Lt. Marcus Lawhorn
5.) Gwynn Sasser
6.) t. b. a.
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:
1.) ”Sr. Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”
(from Whiskey University)
2.) ”Certified Bourbon Steward”
(from Stave & Thief Society)
3.) Maker’s Mark Ambassador
4.) Tennessee Squire With Jack Daniel’s
5.) Blade and Bow’s Five Keys Club Member
6.)Coopers Club With Nelson’s GreenBrier Distillery
7.) Sagamore Spirits Ambassador; A Whiskey Thief
8.) Member King’s Circle- George Remus and M.G.P.
9.) Family Tree Ambassador At Wilderness Trail
10.) Heaven Hill’s Bardstown Whiskey Society Member
11.) Whiskey Baron from Wyoming Whiskey
12.) High West Whiskey Club Utah
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13.) Band of Rebels, Rebel Yell Association
14.) Wild Turkey’s Rare Breed Society Member
15.) Alchemist Ambassador With Jefferson’s Bourbon
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Bachelors
Master of Arts
Major Lang Holding has been a member of Whiskey University since early 2023. In 2016 Whiskey University began offering Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. Lang is rapidly working his way through the entire seven-degree program within a year and a half of joining. He has earned the title of a “Master Whiskey Taster” by earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Double Majors in The Bourbon Capital Region and The Bluegrass Region and has only two courses short of his Master of Science Degree from Whiskey University with a Major in 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 moving back home 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 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 been plowing through the curriculum and should have both Masters Degrees finished by late Spring / early Summer 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:
1.) “Chartered Master Bourbon Taster”
(from Whiskey University)
2.) ”Certified Bourbon Steward”
(from the Stave & Thief Society)
3.) Maker’s Mark Ambassador
4.) Tennessee Squire With Jack Daniel’s
5.)Coopers Club With Nelson’s GreenBrier Distillery
6.) Sagamore Spirits Ambassador; A Whiskey Thief
7.) Family Tree Ambassador At Wilderness Trail
8.) Heaven Hill’s Bardstown Whiskey Society Member
9.) High West Whiskey Club Utah
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Bachelor of Arts
Master of Science Degree
Lt. Dennis Iskra
Email address: Iskra@WhiskeyUniv.com
Dennis has the following “Designations” & Credentials:
1.) ”Certified Bourbon Taster”
(from the Whiskey University)
2.) ”Certified Bourbon Steward”
(from Stave & Thief Society)
3.) Maker’s Mark Ambassador
4.) Tennessee Squire With Jack Daniel’s
5.) Blade And Bow’s Five Keys Club Member
5.) Sagamore Spirits Ambassador; A Whiskey Thief
7.) Whiskey Baron from Wyoming Whiskey
8.) High West Whiskey Club Utah
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Diploma
Associates
Lt. Marcus Lawhorn
Email address: MarcusL@WhiskeyUniv.com
Marcus has the following “Designations” & Credentials:
1.) ”Journeyman Bourbon Taster”
(from the Whiskey University)
2.) ”Certified Bourbon Steward”
(from Stave & Thief Society)
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3.) Tennessee Squire With Jack Daniel’s
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Diploma
Gwynn Sasser
Gwynn Has The Following “Designations” & Credentials:
1.) ”Apprentice Bourbon Taster”
(from the Whiskey University)
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Our faculty currently serves areas in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (1,128,945); Union County, North Carolina (244,562); and Cabarrus County, North Carolina (221,479) in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area.
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.