Winglore Spirits

MotivationWinglore Spirits was founded by a group of pilots on separate but parallel paths, united by a shared vision, to build a brand that celebrates our culture and connects us with the broader public through fine spirits and the thrill of fast jets. We figure if we could survive high-speed ejections, unpredictable deployments, and the occasional unscheduled rendezvous with the ground, we could probably handle launching a whiskey brand. Driven by a passion to honor the unbreakable bonds and unforgettable stories of aviators, Winglore embodies the Spirit of Flight—a blend of valor, grit, and just enough irreverence to keep things interesting. Our mission? As independent bottlers/blenders, we team up with the finest independent whiskey producers to make sure that when you raise your glass, you’re toasting with something worthy of the people and stories that bring us together.Greater Purpose and VisionWinglore isn’t just about whiskey; it’s about preserving and passing on the culture and humor of the aviation community. Like our friends in Dos Gringos—a musical duo who found fame (minor…and some would say infamous) singing about the highs, lows, and absurdities of life in the cockpit—we believe everyone deserves a good-natured roast and a place where stories come to life. We’re here to provide a little fuel for those stories, inviting people to join our squadron and cause. Vision for ImpactAt Winglore, we’re out to turn whiskey into memories and camaraderie into a cause, celebrating the legends—and the jesters—in all of our lives. More than just filling glasses, we're here to build a legacy by collecting, cataloging and sharing stories through a living, interactive label. We invite our patrons to submit stories and participate in archiving and narrating these tales through our interactive customer engagement. From fallible aviators and family heroes to untold legends, every pour of Winglore starts with a raised glass and ends with a story worth telling—or at least a laugh worth having.

Ernesto “Carlos” Howard

Founder & CEO

Chief Spirits Officer, Dos Grigios fan club member, ejections (1)
Ernesto “Carlos” Howard grew up in the mean streets of LA watching Top Gun, Goonies, and The Right Stuff. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at 17, later commissioned as an officer and flew the F-18 Hornet. Carlos has spent the last 8 years flying as an adversary fighter pilot and slowly chipped away his hardened heart against the Air Force pilots and dare I say has come to respect them and their contribution to the mission. Carlos has long aspired to bring warrior-worthy spirits to his colleagues and family. Inspired by his uncle's success in building a Tequila brand, he saw firsthand that a brand is more than just a novelty - it is an ethos.




Jonathan “Stroke” Dippold

Co-Founder & COO/CCO

Chief Lore Officer, #SNACKO

Jonathan “Stroke” Dippold brings down the average age of the founders by a decade and still hangs with the cool kids flying the F-15E Strike Eagle as an Instructor Pilot in the Air Force Reserves and the legendary A-4 Skyhawk as an aggressor pilot. He decided if he had to “grow up and get a real job” it might as well be associated with the best damn whiskey and the best damn people in the world.





Robert “Trip” Raymond

Co-Founder & CMO

Chief Roast Officer, Co-Founder of Dos Gringos (somehow still managed to not get fired from the Air Force)

Robert “Trip” Raymond spent 24 years in the Air Force as an F-16 pilot, weapons officer and commander. He retired as an old crusty Colonel before transitioning to the business world. Trip is also a life-long musician and 1/2 of the fighter pilot band Dos Gringos.




Erik “EZ” Brine

Co-Founder & CSO

Chief Toast Officer, Has ~7 jobs but this is by far his favorite one

Erik “EZ” Brine spent 26 years as an Air Force airlift pilot in roles from the cockpit to the Pentagon, 21 years as a husband, 18 years as a dad, 10 years as a bureaucrat in the State Dept, Senate, & White House, 10 years leading a non-profit, and 6 years in the private sector & academia, which explains his love of whiskey.