Our Story
In 2011, the Likarish brothers took a leap of faith. Robert was wrapping up his law degree and Jonathan was working as a biomedical engineer when they decided to throw caution to the wind and pursue distilling. Over the next several years, they traveled the country interning under the best minds in the industry until they decided to put down distilling roots in Denison, TX.
The name Ironroot pays tribute to viticulturist and Denison native T.V. Munson’s hardy “iron” roots that helped save the French wine industry from total destruction. Munson’s efforts resulted in Denison and Cognac ultimately becoming sister cities. The brothers found inspiration in adapting the French distilling techniques, especially the process of elévage, to tame the intense climate of Texas rather than imitate traditional flavor profiles.
The distillery finally opened in 2014 to much local fanfare. When the brothers realized they needed someone to help manage the business (and them), their mother Marcia — aka the Mother of Texas Whiskey — joined the staff. The Likarishes mash, ferment, distill, barrel-age and bottle on site in Denison. The spirits are made using high quality heirloom and non-GMO corn from local farms to capture the authentic flavor of north Texas.
Marcia Likarish, the Mother of Texas Whiskey
Marcia is an independent, driven, and curious human. She has an ingrained desire to explore, see, know, and understand. But she’s even more passionate about taking what she’s learned and teaching it or sharing it with others.
Her independence was reigned in a bit when they had children and it caused her to focus her energies into their small family of four. She brought the boys along on the adventures instead of stopping them altogether. Travel, adventure, and new experiences became a bedrock foundation of the Likarish family.
As soon as the idea of starting a whisky distillery became more than a thought, she was the one who instigated research, travel, and education toward that goal.
It’s that same drive for teaching and community that has made her one of the most beloved whisky ambassadors in the industry and made thousands of people fall in love with Ironroot.
Marcia’s passion is the continued exploration of that journey and for people to see and love her family and their whiskey the way that she does.
Jonathan Likarish, Head Distiller
Jonathan is an alchemist hermit. In a prior life he would have been the wizard in a tower, or a medicine man in the woods, respected by the village but left alone to do his work.
He loves to the technical aspects of science and the engineering side of creation. But he wants to have a positive impact on the world through the work that he does. He has no interest in making things simply for money. He wants his creations to change people’s lives.
He approaches the spirits with humility and the understanding that he’s on a decades-long journey to perfect a craft. The small markers of awards and honors along the way are nice, but he’s more motivated by the responses of people he cares about and whose opinions he respects.
He’s gracious with what he’s learned, and he’s done the serious work in the background to make really hard things seem simple and easy. Like watching a professional musician or acrobat.
Jonathan loves the story of Ironroot because it’s a meaningful story that is worth telling. And he is drawn back to the work, the art, and the alchemy of making beautiful things.
Robert Likarish
Robert is a wanderer whose primary drive are people, connection, and community.
He took the default and almost expected route through life until active involvement in a law firm made him realize that he was on the wrong path. His connection to his family and the desire to do something meaningful caused him to focus his attention on the whiskey industry, which drew him with energy outside of “life according to normal.”
Robert carries the load of growing the brand, building the community, stabilizing the business side of the distillery, He largely runs the soul of Ironroot while also supporting the production and creation side of the business.
It’s a madhouse of too many demands and not enough time but the human-connection side of the industry sustains him. It’s brought his family together toward a singular goal. He loves the connections and people he’s met through his work in the industry. He loves how those connections have led to employees that are more family than hired guns.
Chris Trevino – Master Taster
Chris is a wandering tinker, driven by an enthusiastic, amateur pursuit of things that captivate him. His obsession with learning has gradually made him an expert in any field he finds fascinating. He collects spirits obsessively, but it would be hoarding if not for his generosity in sharing them with the people he cares about. That generosity makes him more of a curator than a collector.
He takes knowledge seriously and ensures that what he learns is both practical and contextual. His aversion to tunnel vision drives him to explore the boundaries of his knowledge, always seeking to place what he knows within a broader context.
Though confident in his expertise, it took the care and support of those who love him to encourage him toward practical application and building a brand. First, it was with his wife on YouTube, and later with Ironroot, leading to his work with Saints Alley. Their belief in him reinforced his confidence, allowing him to step into the spotlight rather than remain a background supporter.
He believes the true value of whiskey lies in the community and connection it fosters among people.
His generosity is one of his defining characteristics; it’s evident in his gift for teaching and his desire to share what he knows with others.
John Likarish – The Intern
John is driven by the desire to be with his family and see them invest in their own futures and their own stories. He wants them to work side-by-side toward a thing that they all believe in. He wants to do something that matters.
He’s done the hard work of following the business path that was expected of him to support his family, provide for their futures, and set them up to choose their own path in life.
Now he’s ready to stand with them and blaze the trail instead of only supporting them from behind the scenes. He doesn’t care about a label, an award, a fancy title, or notoriety. His success is in seeing his family succeed. He’s brought his historical knowledge, business acumen, and humility to help build the Likarish Legacy.
