Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

184. World Whisky Day Part 2

On World Whisky Day, we interviewed five different representatives from six different distilleries from across the world for our Live Tasting Event. On Part 2, we interview Kotryna Gesait,Starward East Coast Ambassador. Dave Smith, St. George Head Distiller. Nick Brady Maas, founder of Dancing Goat.(00:25 - 32:42) - Kotryna shares how her personal travels across the world collided with the Starward story: a new world whisky distillery on the path to make a pure Australian experience in a bottle. She also explains how Starward challenges the palate by using a rare technique of fully maturing single malts inside of fresh Australian red wine barrels. The brand stretches the imagination of what whisky can be.(32:48 -:58:54) - Dave shares how the collaboration between whiskey distilling and art combine to produce beautiful spirits that are meant to be shared during even more beautiful moments. St. George is the oldest small American distillery since prohibition, and Dave shares how the distillery grabbed inspiration from whisky across the world to build and continue 40 years of spirits distillation.(59:20) Our spiritual guru through the vast world of whiskey, Nick Brady Maas celebrates how agriculture is the divine component that allows us all to enjoy the great invention of whiskey. He leads an inspiring conversation on the principles of Dancing Goat, and why is love for rye and how the inspiration of his family drives hmi to build the next great American distillery.Guests: Kortyna Gecait, Dave Smith & Nick MaasHosts: Jake Hukee, Wilson Torres & Chris BlatnerListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

183. World Whisky Day Part 1

On World Whisky Day, we interviewed five different representatives from six different distilleries from across the world for our Live Tasting Event. On Part 1, we interview Val Colella, Castle & Key National Brand Ambassador and Dom Venegas, Pernod Whisky Portfolio Ambassador.(00:03:05 - 00:28:30) - Val guides us through her history of growing up and living in New York, but finding her love and passion for whiskey down in Kentucky. She also shares how their young distillery is taking strides to become the next great American whisky distillery reviving in the Old Taylor distillery.(29:00 - 01:20:20) - Dom takes us through his extensive personal history from behind the bar in San Francisco and New York. He shares his experience of opening bars like Bourbon & Branch and The Nomad New York, and the folk heroes he met along the way that encoungered him to develop an undeniable passion for spirits. He also ushers the audience back through history to explain strenuous backgrounds of how both The Glenlivet and Spot Whiskeys endured to be in our glasses today.Guests: Val Colella, Castel & Key National Brand Ambassador. Dom Venegas, Pernod Whisky Portfolio Ambassador.Hosts: Jake Hukee, Wilson Torres & Chris BlatnerListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

182. Whisky Week Wrap-up with Joe Z. Henry

Joe Henry founder of J. Henry & Sons Bourbon joins me to warmup Whisky Week. We sound like we were out drinking late for 4-5 nights, consequently, the proof is in our hoarse voices. We also discuss the annual release of J. Henry’s Bellefontaine Reserve, extra-aged for five and a half years in new, charred oak barrels, slowly reduced and finished in ex-Cognac barrels.Guest: Joe Z. HenryHost: Jake HukeeBuy J. Henry Bourbon HEREListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

181. Lew Bryson

Whiskey author, writer Lew Bryson drops by for a special Whisk(e)y Week podcast. Lew shares his three decades worth of knowledge of watching the whiskey industry transform into the predominant international spirits category. His examination of “the purpose of making whiskey” propels our chat about American distilleries growing during the last decade; how marketing has effected the whiskey world in all countries; how distilleries are defining their whiskey on and outside of the label; and so much more.Guest: Lew BrysonHosts: Jake Hukee Buy Lew’s book “Whiskey Master Class” HEREListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The LakeJake Hukee is a brand ambassador for Starward Whisky

180. Jake and Callum Talk Barrels

Callum and Jake catchup to discuss the importance and impact an individual cask has on a batch of whiskey. The guys focus on a Castle & Key single barrel tasting they did earlier in the day with Wilson, and how three barrels—aged in the same warehouse, with the same mash bill—tasted incredibly different. They also share the details of upcoming whiskey events, including their World Whiskey Day event at The Beer Cellar Glen Ellyn.Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

179. Full Transparency

Jake sits down to share why the podcast hasn’t been consistently published over the past couple of months. He explains how his love for whiskey and his job as an ambassador for Starward Whisky, along with life altering anxiety has led to less dedication to the podcast. Host: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comJake Hukee is a brand ambassador for Starward Whisky

178. It’s a Prestigious St. Patrick’s Day

Callum and Jake celebrate St. Patricks Day by celebrating Callum’s new prestigious position at Pernod Ricard. We also share our St. Paddy’s bar crawl from this past Saturday during Chicago’s celebration of the holy Irish holiday.Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

177. Sagamore Spirit

Sagamore President Brian Treacy and Central Sales Director Brett Bauer join me for a conversation about their new Bottled In Bond and Rum Finish Rye. Their efforts to create a Bottled In Bond symbolizes the distillery’s transition from using MGP contracted distillate to a grown up distillery, ushering in their hard work and dedication to becoming an all-in Maryland Rye distillery.Guests: Brett Bauer and Brian TreacyHosts: Jake Hukee Sagamore SpiritListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The LakeJake Hukee is a brand ambassador for Starward Whisky

176. Callum and Jake

Callum and Jake catchup to share their early-year thoughts on the whiskey industry by discussing the importance, or the lack their of importance to whiskey clubs. They also discuss the importance of neighborhood bars and their role of maintaining community.Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

175. Keeler Club

(Gio) Sean Giordano, co-founder of Keeler Club, rejoins the sho. Gio shares how he and his partner are bringing family values to the dining room of Chicago. With an elevated focus, and the decadence of the midwest, Keeler Club is popup restaurant combining the heritages of both chefs, while providing a jovial atmosphere that celebrates the feeling of sitting in your living room with great friends and family. Keeler Club is launching on Feb. 21 at the speakeasy of The Swill Inn.Guests: Sean GiordanoHosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellVisit Keeler Club HEREListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake