Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

(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...

Journeyman Distillers Tom Balich and Matt McClan host us at the distillery. Tom and Matt speak on the evolution of their single barrel program over the last decade and the current expansion of Journeyman across the United States and in their local community. Guest: Tom Balich & Matt McClain Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’Donnell Visit Journeyman Here Listen to more episodes and read stories...

Steve talks to us about the history of the multi-generational ran liquor store. He shares how he’s honoring the legacy of his grandfather and father by perusing personal relationships with distilleries across the world to create an eclectic collection of spirits for his customers. We also discuss the proliferation of craft distilleries, barrel programs and the new methods of distilleries/liquor st...

I sit down with Founder Tremaine Atkinson and Head Blender Tyrus Yamagiwa of Jeppsons Bourbon. We explore how they began sourcing whiskey from George Dickel and MGP to begin their bourbon program with the infamous/legendary Jeppson’s Malort label front and center on the bottle. We track the history of Tremaine creating CH Distillery as a vodka distillery to purchasing Jeppson’s Malort and innovati...

Journeyman Distillers Tom Balich and Matt McClain join the show. Tom and Matt speak on the evolution of their single barrel program over the last decade and the current expansion of Journeyman across the United States and in their local community. Guest: Tom Balich & Matt McClain Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’Donnell Visit Journeyman Here Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthe...

Dancing Goat founder, head distiller and 2021 Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast MVP Nick Brady Maas joins the pod. He shares how he created his single barrel program from MGP stock, and by producing his own solera barrel-aging system and double-oaking his private selects whiskeys. Guests: Nick Brady Maas Hosts: Jake Hukee Visiting Dancing Goat Distillery HERE Listen to more episodes and read stories...

I nerd out about Starward’s single barrel program. if you didn’t know, I’m the Midwest Brand Ambassador for Starward Whisky, and I help lead our single barrel program across the US. We also feature an amazing single barrel selection from Leo’s Mayfair. Happy New Year.

Wilson features the first single barrel to launch in Illinois from Castle & Key. Wilson unknowing helped select this single barrel while visiting the distillery in late 2021. Wilson and Jake also reflection their professional relationship from their beginning days of working at KOVAL to the growth and current craze for single barrels across the industry. And, Wilson poses a giveaway for a bott...

Steve Malloy of Malloy’s Finest sits down with us to share his Watershed Distillery Single Barrel. Steve talks to us about the history of the multi-generation family ran liquor store, and the legacy of his grandfather and father that he’s honoring of by perusing personal relationships with distilleries across the world to create an eclectic collection of spirits for his customers. Guest: Steve Mal...

I sit down with Tremaine Atkinson and Tyrus Yamagiwa of Jeppsons Bourbon. We explore how they began sourcing whiskey from George Dickel and MGP to begin their bourbon program with the infamous/legendary Jeppson’s Malort label front and center on the bottle. We also dive into their single barrel program that’s sweeping across Chicago retailers and focus on a pick from GNS Market. Guests: Tremaine A...

Sam Bergren joins us to talk through this great Iowa DIstillery’s single barrel program. We highlight their 10 year Anniversary Edition Single Barrel that’s available for purchase at the distillery. Sam and I also lament on the great gas station pizza of Iowa, while speaking upon the progression of craft distilling. Guest: Sam Bergren Host: Jake Hukee Mississippi Rover Distilling Company Listen to...

Eric Rosentreter, Woodinville Whiskey’s Regional Brand Ambassador, discusses the history of Woodinville and their single barrel program. Guest: Eric Rosentreter Host: Jake Hukee Visit Woodinville Whiskey HERE Support our fundraiser for the Pat Tillman Foundation HERE Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

Live from Gold Eagle Wine and Spirits, I sit down with purveyor Jake Cigelnik and Dan from The Adventures Club to discus their double barrel pick from Maker’s Mark: Alien vs. Predator. Jake and Dan share their elaborate five hour experience of selecting their single barrels through Maker’s truly unique procedure for clubs/retailers to sample their way through a chosen private select. Guests: Jake...

Mark Williams, IL Director of Market Development, joins us to share Traverse City’s single barrel program, an update on their new distillery, and a great story on how this single barrel fell back into their lap after a Chicago whiskey club decided to not purchase this joyous bourbon. Guest: Mark Williams Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’Donnell Vist Traverse City Whiskey HERE Listen to more episod...

The 12 Days of Barrel Picks is back, and we’re kicking this festive season off with Pinhook. Our good friend Chris Blatner stops by to present The Whiskey Legion and Leo’s Mayfair 6-year bourbon single barrel selection. Guest: Chris Blatner Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’Donnell Visit Pinhook Here Visit Leo’s Mayfair HERE Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The La...

Executive Director of Bourbon Charity, Chris Blatner shares how they’re building a community around whiskey and charity together with whiskey lovers to support amazing organizations like Children's Tumor Foundation and St. Jude, Boys & Girls Club of America. Guest: Chris Blatner Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’Donnell Support Bourbon Charity HERE Donate to Bourbon Charity HERE Become a Bourbo...

Wilson Works For Castle & Key. Yes. our very own Wilson Torres is the new market manager for Castle & Key. Wilson shares his fortuitous four-year relationship with the distillery, and how his conversations with the founders over the years lead him down his whiskey path. Wilson also shares how Castle & Key is revitalizing the Old Taylor Distillery by preserving the past and integrating...

Live from Birch Road Cellar, we do a whiskey tasting with a live studio audience. We feature Aberlour and Starward (of course), along with The Glenlivet and Kyle Smith of Westward Whiskey. Drink along as we educate, laugh and perform the art of being a brand ambassador. Guests: Kim Bosse & Kyle Smith Visit Birch Road Here Visit Westward Whiskey Here Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’Donnell Lis...

Mythology Distillery’s. National Sales Director Andy Izeluk joins us to share how travel and adventure prompted three friends to build a distillery that embraces community, friendship and the next unknown is this adventure called life. Andy also shares how his work on the distributor side of industry prepared him to jump-ship to the brand side of the whiskey industry. Guest: Andy Izeluk & Bret...

Brett Bauer is back to preview Sagamore Spirit’s two new releases: 8-Year-Old Rye and Rye Ale Finish. Purchase Sagamore Spirit Here Guest: Brett Bauer Hosts: Jake Hukee & Wilson Torres Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

Jake, Callum and Wilson are joined by old friends Chris Blatner and Matt Brown, along with a new friend of the business (Gio) Sean Giordano. Gio is a Longtime bartender and former bar manager, and brings a balanced perspective of how whiskey brands can build in bars and restaurants. We throw questions and situations at Gio to see how he’d help build brand loyalty for up and coming distilleries. Gu...

Founders of Bespoke Beverage Bobby Gonzalez and Noah Tracht sit down with us to share their innovative story of creating cocktails to go through the hospitality industry. Bobby and Noah also share their insights on developing a business during the pandemic, that’s transformed into a disruptor in the alcohol industry.

Callum and Jake return from a night of account visits to share their stories and insights of being a whiskey brand ambassador in Chicago. The two also kill a bottle of Jim Beam 8-year-old Bourbon in a donkey decanter from 1988. (This is not a sober episode). Hosts: Jake Hukee & Callum O’Donnell Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

Guests: @UrbanBourbonist - Chris Blatner & Matt Brown of Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. Hosts: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Jake Hukee is a brand ambassador for Starward Whisky Key In The Lake