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Artwork for Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

Jake Hukee
Whiskey
Chicago
Whiskey Industry
Bourbon
Starward
Consumer Behavior
Pinhook
Single Barrel Bourbon
Stauning Whisky
Whiskey Education
Japanese Whiskey
Mossburn Distillers
Macallan
Castle & Key Distillery
Cocktails
Tequila
Slightly Toasted
Torabhaig
Single Barrels
Whiskey Market Trends

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelFoodSociety & CultureArts

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Artwork for Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

Latest Episodes

We head to one of my favorite Chicago cocktail spots, The Press Room to hang with Jorge Vallejo, Beverage Director/Managing Partner. Jorge shares his journey of moving from Ecuador to New York—where he began his hospitality career. After a decade in ... more

From lying about his resume to get his first bar job to now operating one of the best whiskey bars in America, John Chesney of Slightly Toasted shares his story of bartending. John stirs a delicious barrel-aged old-fashioned for this episode and high... more

Antonio and I get right into shaking up a cocktail with Song Cai Roselle Gin. Antonio runs the bar at Cultivate by Forbidden Root. His bar program and the restaurant are a couple of the best on the North Side of the city, but the Cultivate remains on... more

Live from Pizz’Amici, Gio shares his two years behind the bar at this coveted pizza joint in West Town. Gio’s ran the bar at Pizz’Amici since they opened their doors. He’s brought his amusing infectious personality of hospitality and humility to the ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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The Mash UpBourbon Whiskey Talk
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This is My Bourbon PodcastPerry Ritter | This is my Bourbon Podcast

Recent Guests

Graham Crickshank
Master distiller at Abelard
Abelard
Episode: 300. The 300th
Peter Kim
Cocktail/wine program influence, bartender
Franklin Room
Episode: 300. The 300th
Nancy Fraley
Whiskey blender/nose expert
Episode: 300. The 300th
Taylor Cope
Whiskey writer
malt.com
Episode: 300. The 300th
Eric Rosentreter
Guest, tequila expert
Suerte Tequila (as discussed in episode)
Episode: 299. Last of The 200s
John Chesney
Purveyor of the slightly toasted 41 Whiskey Bar brand
41 Whiskey Bar
Episode: 299. Last of The 200s
Chris Blantner
Urban bourbonist
Slightly Toasted, 41 Whiskey Bar
Episode: 299. Last of The 200s
Sam Bergren
Brand team member appearing as a guest on the episode
Still Austin Distillery
Episode: 298. Still Austin
Wilson Torres
Whistle Pig team member, Chicago market lead
Whistle Pig
Episode: 297. Whistle Pig | Wilson Torres

Hosts

Jake Hukee
Host of the show; central figure in conversations and episode hosting.
Wilson Torres
Co-host; active in driving discussions and guest interactions.
John Chesney
Co-host/guest on mic; regular contributor in conversations.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 35 ratings
  • Getting good!

    The Greg Metze show might be your best show yet. That was like music to these whiskey-nerd ears. Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hossinpheffer
    United States3 years ago
  • Good juice đŸ„ƒ

    Jake and the rotating co-hosts and guests give a great perspective of what is currently happening in the industry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TateAustinDesigns
    United States4 years ago
  • A non-traditional Whiskey Podcast

    I really enjoy the work Jake is doing with this podcast. Industry insights from a brand ambassador who is pioneering a new segment of whiskey into the United States market are truly a look into the nuts and bolts of marketing. But it’s also equally likely they'll be talking about culture, sports, or general rambling. As a novice to New World Whisky these insights are key to identifying my path forward.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jhughes42071
    United States5 years ago
  • Modern Day Whiskey Gentleman

    I’m a big fan of whiskey and a big fan of Wilson & Jake. Luckily this podcast combines all of my fandoms into one easily digestible nugget I can carry around in my pocket.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Begyle Caitlin
    United States7 years ago
  • â€ïžđŸ’•đŸ’•

    The best and sexiest podcast about brown liquor, brown men, and Liverpool Football Club

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Carl Tart's Party Farts
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host duo balances humor with sharp industry commentary, making complex topics approachable.
The show is praised for its warmth, authenticity, and cross-cultural viewpoints in whiskey.
Listeners appreciate the candid, practical insights on distribution and on-premise programs.
A fan-favorite for industry insiders and enthusiasts alike, thanks to insightful takes on branding and culture.
Guests bring fresh perspectives across brands, bartending, and retail that widen the show's scope.

Top Food Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

303. 4Star Cocktails | John Chesney
Q: What makes Slightly Toasted stand out as a whiskey bar experience?
The bar is a gathering place that emphasizes showcasing whiskey on a pedestal, with a deep selection (1,400 open bottles), a community focus, and hospitality that invites guests to discuss and learn about whiskey in a safe, approachable setting.
303. 4Star Cocktails | John Chesney
Q: How did you come up with those barrels?
We sourced private barrels from multiple small producers, including a sherry finish from Jepsen's, a pork finish from Jepsen's, and a rum finish from High West, then aged one five-barrel blend in a Pinot de Chartrons barrel for a complex profile.
303. 4Star Cocktails | John Chesney
Q: John, what are we making today?
We are making the old-fashioned Slightly Toasted, a barrel-aged holiday cigar blend version that blends multiple finishes to showcase how the barrel finishes evolve the drink over time.
287. Ken's Bar & Mugen Spirits
Q: Where did your relationship begin? How did you two connect?
Kojin explains how a Kentucky-based colleague introduced him to Ken, leading to translations and a strong working relationship. From there, their shared love of bourbon and long conversations over pours cemented a mentor-like bond that evolved into collaboration on multiple projects.
290. Clonakilty Irish Whiskey
Q: How does the brand manage its farm-to-glass production and what makes their process unique?
They control almost all steps—growing barley on their farm, distilling on site, maturing in ocean-adjacent warehouses, and bottling in-house—emphasizing terroir (maritime influence) and a hands-on approach that they believe sets their whiskey apart.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

What is Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A whiskey-focused show built around candid conversations with industry insiders, brand storymakers, and hospitality professionals. Across episodes, the discussion often centers on brand strategy, storytelling, distribution dynamics, and evolving consumer preferences, with frequent pivots into bar culture, cross-cultural influences (US-Japan-Ireland), and innovative aging or blending approaches. The format blends long-form chats with practical takeaways for listeners who work in branding, marketing, distribution, or on-premise programs, and it frequently surfaces real-world lessons from Brand Ambassadors, distillers, retailers, and bartenders. A standout vibe is the mix of street-level industry insight, personal career stories, and practical... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast:

1. WTF - Whiskey Tequila Fridays Podcast
2. Sipping Social Podcast
3. The Mash Up
4. Barrel to Bottle, The Binny's Podcast
5. This is My Bourbon Podcast

How many episodes of Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast are there?

Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast?

Recent guests on Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast include:

1. Graham Crickshank
2. Peter Kim
3. Nancy Fraley
4. Taylor Cope
5. Eric Rosentreter
6. John Chesney
7. Chris Blantner
8. Sam Bergren

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