As a third generation Texan, Troy started his career where his family's roots were – in the oil business. But he always had a deep appreciation for fine craftsmanship and all things handmade.

So, after earning his business degree from Texas Tech University and marrying his junior high school sweetheart, Troy spent 10 successful years on the financial side of the energy business – primarily in private equity and corporate finance. His responsibilities included fundraising, personnel management and operations evaluation for over 20 different portfolio companies ranging in size from $10 million to over $1 billion. It was that experience that solidified his entrepreneurial drive.

But really, Troy always felt more at home in jeans and boots than in a suit and cap-toed shoes. He had an innate desire to work with his hands and to truly build a business – and a product – from scratch. During his career in oil and gas Troy started noticing the evolution of micro and craft beers popping up, and loved trying new and innovative brews. Along the way, he had also learned to appreciate whiskey and began sampling different styles and brands.

It wasn't until a few micro-distilleries crossed his radar that true euphoria set in. Troy's excitement was not for the distilleries he was reading about, but for an idea he couldn't shake – to build a whiskey distillery in Fort Worth. That was in 2008. From that moment on, Troy was reading anything he could find on distilling and whiskey (which wasn't much) and then began reaching out to the distilling community for insight and knowledge. It was at this point that Troy crossed paths with his business partner, Leonard.

Whiskey is unlike any other spirit – it's a sense of place, with heritage and complexity. Every whiskey has an elaborate personality and story few others can match. Troy says he can't imagine doing anything else.