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Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

Key In The Lake Whiskey Podcast

Hosted by Jake Hukee

BusinessArtsFoodSocietyCultureInterviews guests
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Episodes

300

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 13, 2026Episode 30629 min

306. 4Star Cocktails | Garrett Turnquist

Garrett takes us through running the beverage program for one of the best restaurant groups in the Chicago suburbs, Bourbon. Belly. Recording from historic Glen Ellyn’s Maize + Mash, Garrett shakes a Check On Your Honey, a Farmer’s Gin based cocktail.  Garrett shares his industry experience, his love for whiskey and best parts of working with a cohesive bar team.Guest: Garrett TurnquistHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

August 6, 2026Episode 30531 min

305. 4Star Cocktails | Josue Mancero

Back to The Press Room but this time we chat with Managing Partner Josue Mancero. Josue is one the friendliest bartenders in Chicago and he gets right into shaking the Pineapple & Bark (rum sour riff). Josue shares his 20 years in hospitality—14 years behind the bar—and how his experience as a chef influences his cocktail menus. We also chat about Josue’s favorite Chicago food spots and how the hospitality industry is built different because of the city’s multi-cultural influence.Guest: Josue ManceroHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

July 27, 2026Episode 30422 min

304. 4Star Cocktails | Jorge Vallejo

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 New York, Jorge moved to Chicago and he’s now recognized as one of the city’s best bartenders.Guest: Jorge VallejoHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

July 20, 2026Episode 30331 min

303. 4Star Cocktails | John Chesney

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 highlights his curiosity for barrel-aging cocktails and blending whiskey. Guest: John ChesneyHost: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

July 13, 2026Episode 30236 min

302. 4Star Cocktails | Antonio Moreno (Copy)

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 one of the hidden gems of Chicago’s food scene. Antonio shares his 17 years of experience in the restaurant industry and how he’s curated his bar program based on his culinary background. Guest: Antonio MorenoHosts: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

July 6, 2026Episode 30121 min

301. 4Star Cocktails | Sean "Gio" Giordano

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 restaurant. Gio shakes us a couple Strawberry Last Words for this episode while we reflect on his career in bartending in Chicago. Guest: Sean "Gio" GiordanoHosts: Jake HukeeListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

May 12, 2026Episode 3001 hr 16 min

300. The 300th

John Chesney and Matt Brown join me for a recap of 300 episodes. We look back on the landscape of whiskey when I first began the podcast seven years ago and to where whiskey and consumer are heading now.Hosts: Jake Hukee, Matt Brown and John ChesneyListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

April 13, 2026Episode 2991 hr 10 min

299. Last of The 200s

After 298 episodes, we drop whiskey and talk tequila with Suerte… kind of. Our good buddies are here to hang to talk about the successes and failures in hospitality; the plethora of great stock of whiskey sitting in American distilleries and now hitting the shelves; and a bit on the online culture in the whiskey space.Guest: Eric Rosentreter & Chris BlatterHost: Jake Hukee and John ChesneyListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

March 30, 2026Episode 2981 hr 20 min

298. Still Austin

Eric Mersch and Sam Bergren of Still Austin are back. Eric hasn’t been on in couple years and the last time Sam appeared on the show he was representing Mississippi River Distilling Co. Now, the duo kills it in the Illinois market for this great, emerging Texas Distillery. They share the ethos and how the distillery has adapted in the past decade to become very recognizable American distillery.Guest: Eric Mersch & Sam BergrenHost: Jake Hukee and John ChesneyListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

March 23, 2026Episode 2971 hr 17 min

297. Whistle Pig | Wilson Torres

Wilson Returns! The man who started the podcast with me seven years ago. Wilson Torres is back to tell us about everything Whistle Pig. Wilson shares the purpose behind this exceptional Rye Whiskey brand and how they’ve grown into one the major players in American Whiskey. Hey, young world…Guest: Wilson TorresHost: Jake Hukee and John ChesneyListen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.comKey In The Lake

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