How one family turned love, loss, and community into a thoughtful venture.
written by Heidi Bethel
photos courtesy of Team Whiskey
Team Whiskey was founded in 2019 to honor Mary Glass-Stang, who courageously battled ovarian cancer. Her surviving husband, Kevin Stang, and their son, Justin, of Gardnerville built the brand around a phrase coined while supporting her during treatment, one that brought laughter and unity during a difficult time. That positive response from family members, friends, and even caregivers made the father-son duo realize the name and the spirit behind it had real power to bring people together.
โWhat started out as a joke on a high-altitude hunt quickly turned into a mantra for a family crisis,โ Kevin recalls of the rallying cry to encourage the family to band together as Team Whiskey. โTeam Whiskeyโs mission of helping others is what being part of a team is all about. We see our mission to help others as a way to show compassion to those who are in the same battle we endured.โ The Stangs started by producing shirts featuring the name Team Whiskey and quickly evolved beyond apparel to whiskey production. The family released its first batch of bourbon in February 2023. Since then, the Stangs have released additional batches and launched the Team Whiskey Cancer Foundation to help local cancer patients and support community causes.
Team Whiskey apparel, the companyโs first products, are available for sale at the bonanza event in spring
Big Bonanza Dreams The inaugural Team Whiskey Bonanza was held in April 2024 at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, where eventgoers enjoyed a whiskey tasting of both local and national brands, outdoor sports, family-friendly activities, food, music, and vendors. The event also benefited charitable causes, including the Team Whiskey Cancer Foundation, reinforcing the brandโs origin as a way to unite people through shared passions and positive impact.
Comstock Distillers is one of several distillers who offered tastings at the bonanza
โOur long-term vision is to help families financially through our foundation on a national level, as well as encourage families to engage in outdoor sports together to make memories that last a lifetime,โ Kevin notes. โWe know this because memories are all we are left with when a loved one passes away. The memories made skiing, biking, hiking, and kayaking together are the golden nuggets left behind with Maryโs passing.โ
Kevin and Justin are gearing up for the next Team Whiskey Bonanza scheduled for April 4, 2026, at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center. For tickets and details, visit Teamwhiskeybonanza.com. To purchase whiskey or Team Whiskey merchandise, visit Team-whiskey.com.
