Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

224. Where You Want To Be - Estes Park

Live from my hotel room in Estes Park, CO, I discuss the life of whiskey ambassador from this lovely landscape. I talk about selling single barrels; and developing genuine, healthy relationships in the whiskey industry.Host: Jake Hukee@KeyInTheLakeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

223. Greg Metze | Old Elk Distillery

Master Distiller Greg Metze joins the show to share the professional and life lessons he’s learned during four decades in the whiskey industry. Before leaving a 38-year career at Seagrams and MGP, Greg crafted custom mash bills for Old Elk. The creative freedom of working with new grain-builds inspired him to leave his legacy in Indiana of distilling 65% bourbons and 85% of ryes in the market, and blaze a new path with Old Elk by using his knowledge and passion for creating the highest quality spirits.Guests: Greg Metze & Ross GrahamHosts: Jake Hukee & Peter KImListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

222. Woodinville Whiskey | Alex Brick

Alex Brick, Woodinville Whiskey Ambassador joins the show talk us through the history of the Washington state distillery, and his career in the spirits industry. We sip four delightful expressions that Woodinville has to offer, including a 2022 Harvest Release Port Finished Straight Rye. Alex shares stories of Dave Pickerell, the distillery’s focus on wine-finished whiskeys and we even talk the wonders of Iceland. Guest: Alex BrickHosts: Jake Hukee & Steven DragunVisit Woodinville Whiskey HereListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

221. Starward Whisky - David Vitale

Four years ago I met a man from Australia with ambition to build his whisky brand in the United States. He held an irrational belief that was nearly contagious. In 2009, Starward founder David Vitale built a single malt distillery in Melbourne—when whisky distilling barely existed in Australia. in just 15 years, he went from hand-selling his whisky on folding tables in corporate offices to Distillery of the Year in 2022. Hear the full Starward journey from the founder’s perspective.Guest: Dave VitaleHosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellVisit STARWARD WHISKY hereListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

220. Bourbon Trail Recap

I recap my recent visit to the Bourbon Trail to select a handful of single barrels for Malloy’s Finest, and how wonderful/individual the whiskey industry truly is. We visited Maker’s Mark, Bardstown Bourbon Co., Preservation Distillery, Starlight Distillery and the Bardstown Collection Launch. Host: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

219. Warehouse Liquors - Zak Rye

Zak Rye of Warehouse Liquors (Chicago) shares the history of the iconic spirits purveyor, and how they’ve earned the trust of invested whiskey customers from across the country. Zak is a storyteller, a host and a retailer who’s spent time as a coffee roaster, an ambassador for the famed Compass Box, and now, leads the renovation and transformation of their upstairs space into an event/tasting room/social club.Guest: Zak RyeHosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellShop at Warehouse Liquors hereListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

218. Lustau - Steven Dragun

Good friend and Lustau National Brand Ambassador, Steven Dragun tastes us through five sherry wines from the Bodegas Lustau. Steven also explains a detailed history of the company and the complex organization of aging sherry in a solera system. We also discuss the versatility of their wines in cocktails. Sit back, grab a sherry from your local independent retailer and sip some sherry along with us.Guest: Steven DragunHosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellLearn more about Lustau hereListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

217. Drammers - Chicago

Live from the world’s best whiskey bar, Delilah’s, I record a Drammers - Chicago whisky event. I’m an ambassador for Starward Whisky, and this episode gives insight to what it’s like to be an ambassador at a branded event. Thank you to Drammers for having me and thank you for being great friends and people.Host: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

216. Solocast with Jake

I visit the the conversation of contemplation and preservation of the body and the mind as being a whiskey brand ambassador. Host: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com

215. Scotch Malt Whisky Society LIVE

Live from The Franklin Room in Chicago, IL, we record the February outrun for Scotch Malt Whisky Society. We blindly sip on six different drams from the club with 34 our dearest friends. We give our tastings notes, reveal the distilleries on the bottle, and talk through history of the club and the scotch distilleries. Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’DonnellListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake