Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast
Two Chicagoans dedicated to everything whiskey. Join Jake Hukee and Wilson Torres as they thread the current identity of the whiskey industry to the principles of the past through conversations and interviews with industry leaders.
Episodes

Sep 23, 2024
Sep 23, 2024
1 hr 9 min
Matthew Brown returns. He no longer works in the whiskey industry, however, he’s looking for a way back in, and what better way than to re-proclaim his love for whiskey here! We chat about entrepreneurs and their relationship to the spirit’s industry; the hierarchy of alcohol distributor; the Premier League, and the most notorious bands with numbers in their names.Guest: Matt BrownHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Sep 16, 2024
Sep 16, 2024
1 hr 11 min
Bruce Perry, Global Head of Brand Advocacy of Mossburn Distillers joins the show. Bruce’s decades of experience in the whisky industry is an expiring career. He’s investing in brands, like Torabhaig, that walk down the road laid by the whisky/spirits legends. He shares the infancy of this Isle of Skye Scotch, the plan of their elegant releases, and the journey they’re on to capture Skye in a bottle of 10 and 12-year-old Scotch.Guests: Bruce PerryHost: Jake Hukee & Brett BauerListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Jul 10, 2024
Jul 10, 2024
51 min
Wilson Torres, Whistle Pig, and Eric Rosentreter, Old Elk, are back to finish off our discussion of who pulls the strings to the modern whiskey industry, and how brands of all sizes dangle and move with each squeeze of the finger of the puppeteers.Guests: Eric Rosentreter & Wilson TorresHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Jul 6, 2024
Jul 6, 2024
58 min
Wilson Torres, Whistle Pig, and Eric Rosentreter, Old Elk, join me to breakdown my current dilemma of: The corporate structure, perhaps, the corporate stranglehold on the whiskey industry is killing the soul of the spirit distilled from grain. Noncreative charlatans are the current gatekeepers, while the artists, the teachers, the culture-keepers are sidelined by capitalistic greed. The boys have their own thoughts and guide me through this predicament.Guests: Eric Rosentreter & Wilson TorresHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

May 29, 2024
May 29, 2024
1 hr 34 min
On Saturday, May 18, we were live at Slightly Toasted recording our annual World Whisky Day event. in Part 2, we spoke with The Lakes’ new US representative Marcus Reidy, Still Austin’s IL Manager Eric Mersch, and Director of Bourbon Operations Tyrus Yamagiwa of Jeppsons Bourbon. Guests: Marcus Reidy, Eric Mersch & Tyrus YamagiwaHost: Jake Hukee, Matt Brown, & John ChesneyListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
1 hr 22 min
On Saturday, May 18, we were live at Slightly Toasted recording our annual World Whisky Day event. in Part 1, we spoke with Brett Bauer of Marussia Beverages about Hatozaki Japanese Whisky. Then Hannah Thomas and Ali Reynolds of Stauning Whisky dropped by to educate us on this great Danish whisky, and to wrap up, Kelli Nakagama, President of Women Who Whiskey Chicago, shares the first ever Jack Daniels Barrel Proof Rye Single Barrel to market.Guests: Brett Bauer, Ali Reynolds, Hannah Thomas & Kelli Nakagama Host: Jake Hukee, Matt Brown, & John ChesneyListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

May 9, 2024
May 9, 2024
1 hr 27 min
Pinhook founder Sean Josephs joins at The Stockroom (GNS Market) in Uptown, Chicago to select a 9-Year Single Barrel. Sean explains the backstory of his vertical-single barrel series with the distillery and how he implements his sommelier background into crafting whiskey. Sean, Chris Blatner, Z from The Stockroom and I sip through three different barrel samples to find the best fit for the Northside retailer. Wait for the end when Sean drops some big news on their annual Big Horse release. Guests: Sean Josephs, Chris Blatner & Zalman GoldbloomHost: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Apr 29, 2024
Apr 29, 2024
1 hr 15 min
Chris Blatner & Eric Rosentreter pop back on for a 360 conversation on the whiskey industry. We discuss the decline of whiskey sales in this young year, the rise of layoffs, and where the category of the luxury products is heading. We also chat about the Beam’s continued method of innovation with excellent products, and large brands like Four Roses remaining firm on what they do best versus “trend chasing.”Guests: Chris Blatner,& Eric RosentreterHost: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Mar 29, 2024
Mar 29, 2024
1 hr 20 min
Live from Delilah’s in Chicago, I am joined by Brett Bauer, Chris Blatner, Alex Brick, Eric Rosentreter and Wilson Torres. I leave the show about 24 mins into the episode, and let the inmates run the asylum. We chat about what whiskey means to us, we all share our origin stories into the industry and the rising momentum of international whiskies growing across the world. Guests: Brett Bauer, Chris Blatner, Alex Brick, Eric Rosentreter & Wilson TorresHost: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Mar 22, 2024
Mar 22, 2024
1 hr 5 min
Cameron George, Ardbeg National Brand Ambassador , joins me for an enlightening and inspiring conversation on life and whisky. We explore the wanderous perks and loneliness of working on the road. Cameron shares how the beauty of Scotland was ingrained in him as a child and built a foundation for his pursuit of scotch and whisky as an adult. We also chat about how the nature of whisky is parallel with the growth and nature of a human beings life.Guest: Cameron GeorgeHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com






