Today we’d like to introduce you to David McCulley.
David, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Torcatha BBQ Sauce from something deeply personal—a 40-year-old family recipe my father created and passed down to me. For more than a decade, I cooked with it at the fire station in San Antonio, where I serve full-time as a firefighter. It started as something I made for my crew, a way to bring everyone around the table, but soon it took on a life of its own. Firefighters are honest—if something isn’t good, they’ll let you know. But this sauce was different. It became a firehouse staple, and people started asking if they could take bottles home to their families.
That’s when I realized this wasn’t just a great sauce—it had real potential.
In 2023, I officially launched Torcatha out of my own kitchen. I was cooking in small batches, hand-filling every bottle, printing labels at my house, and fulfilling orders one by one at my dining room table. I’d work 24-hour shifts at the fire station, come home, spend time with my fiancé at the time, then stay up late into the night bottling sauce, building my website, and delivering orders out of the back of my truck. I didn’t start with investors or a large manufacturer—I started with grit, discipline, and a belief that this sauce could compete with the biggest names in the industry if I stayed committed long enough.
The name Torcatha comes from two Scottish words meaning “Battle Boar,” a tribute to my Scottish heritage and my family name, McCulley, which literally means “son of the boar.” It represents the fighting spirit behind the brand and the bold flavor profile that sets it apart.
From those first kitchen batches, Torcatha has grown into a premium BBQ sauce now manufactured in Texas and sold in specialty stores, butcher shops, and gourmet markets. In just a short time, we’ve earned national awards at top culinary competitions, including multiple 1st place wins in BBQ sauce and marketing categories at the Scovie Awards, Fiery Food Challenge, and International Flavor Awards. We’ve also launched into international markets—most recently in France—where chefs and consumers are embracing our Texas flavor with enthusiasm.
What began as a family recipe and a dream at my kitchen table has now become a rapidly growing brand with a clear vision for national and global expansion. I built this company the same way I’ve built my career in the fire service—by showing up every day with discipline, doing the work no matter how hard it gets, and never losing sight of the mission. This journey is still just getting started, but the foundation was built the right way: with heart, heritage, and hard work, one bottle at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—and honestly, I don’t think it’s supposed to be. The journey has been full of ups and downs, constant adjustments, and more “no’s” and unanswered emails than I ever imagined I’d face. Whether it was buyers passing without feedback, people walking right past my booth at farmers markets, or trying to secure shelf space with no prior retail background—nothing about this has come easy. I’m fully self-funded, so every trade show, every flight, every bottle has come out of my own pocket. There were moments of doubt, but also moments of undeniable confirmation.
Balancing this business while working full-time as a firefighter—and now studying for the Captain’s promotional exam—has been one of the biggest challenges. I often go from 24-hour shifts at the fire station straight into bottling runs, markets, or late-night strategy work. There is no “off” switch. But I’m incredibly thankful to have found people who believe in the mission—like Drew, who stepped in to start running markets and representing the brand when I physically couldn’t be in two places at once. Having the right people come alongside me has made all the difference.
At the same time, there have been breakthrough moments that reminded me why this is all worth it. Almost every person who tries Torcatha tells us it’s the best BBQ sauce they’ve ever had. We’ve won top awards nationally. I had the honor of representing not just Texas, but the entire United States at two major international trade shows in France—standing there as a firefighter from San Antonio with a sauce I used to bottle in my kitchen was surreal. Receiving the GO TEXAN MEGA Grant was another turning point that validated the vision and helped accelerate our expansion into international markets.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth—but every challenge has shaped me into a stronger, more focused founder. It taught me resilience, forced me to lead with discipline, and reminded me that great things aren’t built in comfort—they’re built in the grind.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Torcatha BBQ Sauce?
Torcatha BBQ Sauce is a premium, Texas-born brand rooted in a 40-year family recipe and built on the principles of craftsmanship, authenticity, and bold flavor. We specialize in gourmet BBQ sauces that deliver layered complexity—balanced sweetness, real smoke, and a rich finish with just the right kick. Unlike mass-produced sauces filled with artificial ingredients and overpowering sugars, Torcatha is crafted in small batches with high-quality ingredients and a focus on flavor integrity.
What truly sets us apart is our story and our standard. Torcatha is firefighter-owned, and every bottle reflects the grit, discipline, and commitment to excellence that the fire service demands. Our brand name, which comes from two Scottish words meaning “Battle Boar,” represents strength and determination. We honor legacy while pushing the industry forward with a sophisticated, elevated take on traditional barbecue.
Our Original sauce has won multiple national awards for its balanced flavor profile, and our Spìosrach (spicy) version has earned top honors in hot BBQ categories and People’s Choice competitions. We are proudly American-made, yet we’ve achieved international appeal—recently launching in France, where chefs and specialty stores have embraced Torcatha as an authentic taste of Texas.
We’re not just another bottle on the shelf. We’re a statement. Torcatha is for people who care about what they serve and the story behind it. From backyard grillers to competitive pitmasters, our customers choose Torcatha because they can taste the legacy, passion, and purpose in every bite.
What I’m most proud of is that Torcatha has stayed true to its roots while gaining global recognition. We’ve proven that a family recipe made with heart can go head-to-head with the giants of the industry and win—without compromising on quality or identity.
For readers discovering us for the first time: Torcatha isn’t just a sauce you use—it’s a sauce you remember. It elevates anything it touches and brings people together with flavor that tells a story.
What are your plans for the future?
The future for Torcatha is all about expansion—both in reach and in impact. We’re in a major growth phase right now, and our focus is on scaling strategically while preserving the quality and authenticity that got us here.
In the immediate future, we are expanding our retail footprint across Texas and the surrounding regions, while simultaneously entering international markets. We’ve already launched in France, and we’re in active conversations with distributors in Sweden and Canada. Our goal is to establish Torcatha as the go-to premium American BBQ sauce across Europe and beyond.
We’re also preparing for entry into major U.S. retailers, including specialty grocery chains and warehouse clubs. This next phase includes new packaging formats, increased production capacity, and a larger marketing push to support brand awareness on a national scale.
Beyond sauce, we’re developing a full lineup of products under the Torcatha name—including new flavors, and premium branded goods that support our identity as a heritage-driven, high-performance food brand. Everything we do reflects the same commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, and bold Texas flavor.
Long term, our vision is global: I see Torcatha not only on store shelves across the world, but on restaurant menus, in international airports (we are already in DFW), and in the hands of customers who align with our values of strength, courage, and discipline. We’ve built a strong foundation—and now we’re scaling with intention.
Pricing:
- $14.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.torcatha.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torcathabbq/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Torcatha/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Torcatha
