Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

From lying about his resume to get his first bar job to now operating one of the best whiskey bars in America, John shares his story of bartending. John stirs a delicious barrel-aged old-fashioned for this episode and highlights his curiosity for barrel-aging cocktails and blending whiskey.

Kevin, the founder of The Beautiful and The Damned, shares his adventurous decision to start a whiskey brand in 2023. He patiently approached building an American whiskey brand with quality of construction with sourced whiskey from MGP and steadily expanding in various markets across the country. We also discuss the economics of whiskey and the confidence and the intelligence it takes to construct a brand in the current climate of the industry.

To celebrate International Whisky Day, we go to New York with a live studio audience at Martiny’s for the launch of the collaboration between Starward X Lagavulin. Last March, I recorded a conversation with Starward founder David Vitale, Diego Master Blender Stuart Morrison and Whiskey Expert Noah Rothbaum. The three share the story of how this unprecedented collaboration developed over years of exploration to make a very special whisky.

Monica Casillas-Rios runs the bar program at the Michelin Star restaurant Elske. In 2023, she was awarded her own Star by winning the Michelin Guide Chicago, Exceptional Cocktail Award Winner. At her six-seat bar she strives to foster a home-like atmosphere for her guests. She’ll chit-chat about your personal life, guide you through the menu and find the best cocktail/other beverage to pair with your evening.

Hannah and I are launching a series of episodes highlighting women in the whiskey industry. We kick off this series by Hannah briefly sharing her experience of working for local and international distilleries in various markets; and introducing our future guests’ diverse backgrounds in spirits and whiskey.Guest: Hannah ThomasHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Last week, we hosted a charity bottle raffle to donate money to Another Round Another Rally for their aid to the LA bars/restaurants affected by the LA fires. Brands from around the world donated bottles to be raffled at our live event with 50 guests at Slightly Toasted in Chicago. We interviewed master distillers, brand reps, retailers and whiskey clubs who donated products to raise more than $3,000.Guests: Hannah Thomas, Steve Malloy, Zalman Goldbloom, Eric Rosentreter, Kimio Yonezawa and Brett BauerHosts: Jake Hukee, Chris Blatner and Matthew BrownListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Neil Macleod Mathieson is the whisky maker for Torabhaig Distillery and Mossurn Distillers & Blenders. He has 40 years of experience in the spirits industry. Neil began his career by writing to Champagne houses, in a gentlemanly way, to become a blender. A couple of houses accepted him onto their estates and from there whisky was the next step. Blending and distilling of spirits has been Neil’s only job. On this episode, he breaks down the process of collecting barrels for blending Mossburn’s projects, along with the purpose of bringing together the elements of space, culture and tradition to create Torabhaig.Guests: Neil Macleod MathiesonHost: Jake Hukee & Brett BauerListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

John Chesney of Slightly Toasted and Matthew Brown of La Crosse Distilling are back. John shares how his bar’s recent Pappy Van Winkle event revealed that the one percent of American whiskey drinkers are jaded by our overabundant amount of great American offerings. We also discuss how bars and retailers are surviving during the slow months of January and February; and how marketing departments of distilleries are in their “Bell-Bottom” phase.Guests: Matthew Brown, John Chesney and Eric RosentreterHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Matthew Brown is back with a new game called Hot, Not, Thought. The game turned into an expertise for us to discuss new brands and marques coming soon to the market. We gage our levels of anticipation and excitement for these new whiskeys, and discuss how they’ll adjust into the current climate of this fading whiskey industry.Guest: Matt BrownHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

For the last six months I’ve worked for The Macallan. My previous employer was Starward Distillery from Melbourne, AU. I worked for the Aussie outfit for over five years, and on this episode I talk about the pros of working for one of the biggest single malt distilleries in the world versus a smaller single malt distillery.Host: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake