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.

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Episodes

244. Industry Check-In

Wednesday Nov 22, 2023

Wednesday Nov 22, 2023

Steve Malloy of Malloy’s Finest and Eric Rosentreter of Old Elk join me for an industry check-in. We debate consumer fatigue of spending money on limited whiskey releases and single barrels vs. the overall fatigue of spending money for expensive items. We also chat about what “makes” a speakeasy. And, AND, we reveal Steve’s lead on purchasing a goddam BOOKER’S single barrel. Guests: Steve Malloy & Eric RosentreterHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

243. Liz Henry & Marty Duffy

Wednesday Nov 15, 2023

Wednesday Nov 15, 2023

J. Henry & Sons is a beloved brand on this podcast. We’ve had our dear friend Joe Henry, cofounder and son of the family-owned distillery, on multiple times, but, now, we get to hear from the matriarch. Cofounder Liz Henry (Joe’s mom) comes on live at Wisconsin Whiskey Fest. She shares how the distillery changed her life and her family, her experience working with Nancy Fraley, and how proud she is to represent her home, Wisconsin, inside of a whiskey bottle. And The Crystal King of Chicago Marty Duffy joins us.Guest: Liz Henry & Marty DuffyHost: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Thursday Nov 09, 2023

Susan Rosentreter of Samson & Surrey joins me live from the Wisconsin Whiskey Fest. We go over her 20 years in the industry, including her time running one of the greatest whiskey bars in Chicago, Fountainhead. We also chat about pride of developing/working with small whiskey brands and how they’re stacking up against big brands. And of course, we discuss the future of single barrels in America. Host: Jake Hukee Guest: Susan RosentreterListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

241. Dancing Goat Distillery

Monday Oct 30, 2023

Monday Oct 30, 2023

We head back to see our friends in Wiscy City, USA. Nick Maas and his band of brothers, who operate Dancing Goat, share the updates of their distillery, including the expansion of their Presents Series. We also discuss the legacy of the DG, acquiring and leveraging distilleries, and brand building by “owning your backyard.” Towards the end, we forecast the future of small distilleries. We speculate on how they an maneuver through a crowded market and learning innovative opportunities to survive.Guests: Nick Maas, Sean Dotson, Beau Bunce, Mark Fitlin, and Shane CaulderHosts: Jake Hukee & Wilson TorresListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

240. Sagamore Spirit

Friday Oct 13, 2023

Friday Oct 13, 2023

Assistant Distiller Ted Wolfe and Sales Director Brett Bauer are on the show, and they’re not here to just talk whiskey. Sagamore is launching a new Amaro. Ted explains the intricate process of developing the herbal liqueur, and Brett shares the market execution of launching the Amaro in a Black Manhattan campaign across the US. Ted also shares his experience of studying astrophysics to developing sustainable farming in Paraguay with the Peace Corps, then a decade working in storm water restoration, and finally, ending up in the distillery at Sagamore.Guests: Ted Wolfe & Brett BauerHosts: Jake Hukee Sagamore SpiritListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

239. Industry Roundtable

Wednesday Oct 04, 2023

Wednesday Oct 04, 2023

Chris Blatner, Steve Malloy, Eric Rosentreter and Wilson Torres join me for a roundtable discussion on a variety of topics. We primarily focus on the single barrel scene for small distilleries, and the overall growth of small distilleries. We discuss the approach of these distilleries discovering their identity while developing, in the moment, and following nontraditional routes to customers.Guests: Chris Blatner, Steve Malloy, Eric Rosentreter & Wilson TorresHosts: Jake Hukee, Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

238. Rethinking Whiskey

Wednesday Sep 27, 2023

Wednesday Sep 27, 2023

Chris Blatner and Wilson Torres are back to reimagine the current state of Bourbon…and to drink a lot of Bourbon. We chat about the abundance of distillery collaborations with breweries, vineyards and even with other distilleries, and the longterm impact these collaborations will have on whiskey. We also discuss the recent purchases of small distilleries by larger spirits portfolios; revisioning the laws/guidelines of Bourbon; and Kentucky Bourbon Festival.Hosts: Jake Hukee, Chris Blatner & Wilson TorresListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

Friday Sep 22, 2023

My boss and Starward Whisky Founder David Vitale is back. Dave is moving back to Australia after building Starward in America during the past five years. We talk about the successful strategies of launching our whisky in The States, along with the struggles of building a relatively unknown brand, and the our future projections of our whisky—whisk(e)y, in general—in America.Guest: Dave VitaleHosts: Jake HukeeVisit STARWARD WHISKY hereListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

Friday Sep 15, 2023

Callum is embarking on a new journey in New York, subsequently, a friend I love like a brother is leaving the podcast. Callum was a catalyst to continuing the podcast during covid and in low moments of my personal life when I questioned quitting the show. He inspired me to continue by bringing great guests, enthusiastic conversation and most importantly, love. Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

235. Bourbon Heritage

Friday Sep 08, 2023

Friday Sep 08, 2023

Callum and I share our perspectives of the current state of the Bourbon industry. We discuss the future of exportation and how the next generations of drinkers will appreciate America’s Native Spirit.Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

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