Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

Jake Hukee
  • 4.8 (25)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 1D AGO

    2025 Was a Bender

    Our first podcast of 2026. We recap the industry shakeups from large brand houses downsizing, giant distributors taking a hit, and how brands and consumers are sifting their ways through the rye of it all. We also find logic and purpose for whiskey brands to succeed this year. Hosts: Jake Hukee, Matt Brown & John Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

    1h 15m

  2. 10/29/2025

    Mugen Spirit

    Kojin Tashiro, founder of Mugen Spirit, shares his Japanese heritage and American identity in the form of whiskey. Kojin was burnin in Japan but moved to America as a child. He blends both worlds together by sourcing Bourbon and using Japanese history, folklore, and art to tell a story of both countries inside and outside of the bottle. Guest: Kojin Tashiro Host: Jake Hukee and John Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

    1h 14m

  3. 10/22/2025

    Clonakilty Irish Whiskey

    Co-Founder at Clonakilty Distillery, Sean Scully joins us to share his family’s story of transforming their family farm to an Irish Whiskey Distillery. Sean also highlights the vast history of Irish whiskey, and pays homage to the large Irish brands that have established themselves across the world, paving the road for the smaller distilleries that are emerging. Guest: Sean Scully Host: Jake Hukee, John Chesney & Brett Bauer Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

    1h 18m

  4. 10/08/2025

    Found North

    Chris and Sammy share the truly unique method of blending whisky at Found North. Their independent approach has caught the attention of consumers from across the country in a short time since they opened their doors just five years ago. Found North’s individualistic and eccentric approach to sourcing and blending Canadian whisky is truly the intertwining of art, science and business. Guests: Sammy Karachi & Chris Riesbeck Host: Jake Hukee & John Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

    1h 12m

  5. 07/30/2025

    Kevin | The Beautiful and The Damned

    Kevin, founder of The Beautiful and The Damned, returns. Kevin provides his industry insights on the financial side of whiskey; the price drop in barrels, the rising amount of inventory in the US, the growing number of US distilleries, etc. These are the factors that equate to the drop in whiskey sales and the plethora of unsold cases we have sitting in the millions waiting to be sold, purchased and consumed. Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

    1h 23m

  6. 05/21/2025

    Ken's Bar & Mugen Spirits

    An East Meets West conversation, translated through our love of whiskey. Ken Matsuyama proprietor of famed Tokyo whiskey bar Ken’s Bar and Kojin Tashiro of Mugen Spirit share their love of spreading bourbon across the world. Kojin explains how his unique background of immigrating from Japan to America’s Bourbon Capital has created his opportunity to bridge bourbon in America and Japan. Ken stands on the other side of said bridge by visiting America, developing a great friendship with Kojin and bringing his bourbon experiences back to Japan. Guest: Ken Matsuyama and Kojin Tashiro Host: Jake Hukee and John Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

    31 min

  7. 04/24/2025

    The Beautiful and The Damned

    Kevin, the founder of The Beautiful and The Damned, shares his adventurous decision to start a whiskey brand in 2023. He patiently approached building an American whiskey brand with quality of construction with sourced whiskey from MGP and steadily expanding in various markets across the country. We also discuss the economics of whiskey and the confidence and the intelligence it takes to construct a brand in the current climate of the industry. Guest: Kevin Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

    1h 15m

  8. 04/03/2025

    The Native

    After six years between appearances, Jared Savocchi is back. We visit his Logan Square tavern, The Native to converse on a myriad of subjects surrounding bar culture. We hit on running/operating a neighborhood establishment post covid, creating trust with employees, adapting to drinking trends and how relationships are everything in this industry. Guests: Jared Savocchi, Chris Blatner, Matt Brown & Eric Rosentreter Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

    1h 20m
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4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

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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