2023 Special guests

Graham McTavish
Actor and Co-Founder McTavish Spirits

Graham McTavish is a versatile and seasoned actor who has made his mark in Hollywood through an impressive array of roles. Currently, he can be seen in the Emmy-nominated HBO drama series HOUSE OF THE DRAGON and Netflix's critically acclaimed series, THE WITCHER, where he plays a series regular. In addition to his on-screen work, McTavish narrates the international version of Love Nature's documentary, The Ocean's Greatest Feast, which follows South Africa's annual sardine run.

Beyond his acting career, McTavish is a co-founder of McTavish Spirits, a rapidly expanding venture in the world of spirits. The brand has achieved remarkable success, selling 525 cases in its first month since the initial release on August 10th.

McTavish's acting career has been equally impressive, with notable roles including Dwalin in Peter Jackson's THE HOBBIT trilogy, The Saint of Killers in the AMC series PREACHER, and Dougal MacKenzie in Starz's OUTLANDER. His career began in London, encompassing a diverse range of projects in both theater and television. McTavish has also lent his distinctive voice to various animated films and TV series, solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry. Splitting his time between New Zealand and London, McTavish continues to captivate audiences with his remarkable talent.

Erik Bogle
Erik Bogle is an owner of Houston Watch Company, a whiskey-focused cocktail bar founded in 2015 in a former watch and jewelry store in Houston’s historic downtown district. He began bartending in 1999 through his years as a touring musician and managed to make one of those passions his profession. Erik holds accreditations from Kentucky’s American Executive Whiskey Steward program and Scotland’s Edinburgh Whisky Academy and is a generally curious nerd about all things related to the production and enjoyment of fine spirits

David Coors

A fifth generation of the Coors family, brewing and beverages are part of David Coors’ blood. He began his career at Molson Coors serving as an Area Sales Manager, before working his way up to Associate Brand Manager on Coors Banquet and Innovation. From there, he worked internationally with positions as the General Manager Australasia and Global Senior Director Craft and Retail. In 2018, he was named President of AC Golden Brewing Company before heading up the Full Strength Spirits Division as the Vice President. Under his leadership, the company launched its first whiskey, Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, in September of 2021, which has grown into an award-winning family of Blended American Whiskey expressions, and in April of this year, Molson Coors launched its first Bourbon, Barmen 1873, under David’s leadership. Mr. Coors also serves on the board of directors for Molson Coors Beverage Company, The Yuengling Company LLC (a joint venture between Molson Coors and D.G. Yuengling and Son), and AC Golden Brewing Company. David is also engaged in several non-profit organizations locally in Colorado as well as nationally. 

Robert and Marcia Likarish
Distiller at Ironroot and Mother of Texas Whiskey
Robert and Marcia Likarish will be in attendance at this years Whiskey Social for the third year. This north Texas Distillery has been making one hell of a mark on the category the last couple years and We absolutely love them.

This family run distillery is also a founding member of the Texas Whiskey Association.

Jacob Peraza
Lead Distiller at BENDT since November 2016

Jacob Peraza has always had a love of beer and spirits, but became interested in crafting his own while in college at University of Texas at Dallas. Through his family's southern California roots, he developed a taste for hop-forward west coast IPA's, and with a limited craft beer scene at that time, was struggling to find them in the Texas market. Because of this and an interest in the brewing process, he started homebrewing, and before long, enrolled in the Journeyman Brewer's Certification program at Eastfield College. In 2016, he graduated with a degree in Neuroscience from UT Dallas, as well as receiving his brewer's certification. What had started as a love of unique beer and spirits quickly became a love of CRAFTING small batch beer, and before long, spirits. 

Jacob was introduced to craft distilling on a visit to BENDT, at the time named Witherspoon Distillery. He saw a great opportunity to become part of a hometown company with a vision for growth, community engagement, and a mission to create high quality, hyper local products. Now seven years into his journey as a distiller, his favorite things about his career choice are the friendships among the distillery team, the consumers, vendors, retailers, and the kindred spirits he encounters with fellow whiskey makers. He's enjoyed being a part of the growth and now leads a full production team, producing ten times the whiskey today compared to what was being made when he started his journey. 

When asked where he sees himself in five or ten years, the answer is always the same. "I'll be right here making whiskey." Jacob and his wife, Amanda, reside locally in north Texas and enjoy camping and being outdoors with their fur kids, Titus and Zoey.