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Live from Kentucky Bourbon Fest, John Chesney takes me around the festival as we revisit some his favorite pours. On Saturday of the event, John went on a magnificent run of trying 50 samples of whiskey from across the entire fest. So, on Sunday, John and I wander from craft distilleries to large legacy brands sampling some of the best whiskey Kentucky has to offer. Hosts: Jake Hukee and John Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

Mel of Love Street shares her artistic approach to building cocktails in Lincoln Park’s best cocktail spot. Mel has bartended all over Chicago for more than decade and she combines her photography/fine art background to developing cocktails and engaging with customers. She’s one of the most fun bartenders to converse with from across the bar, so go pay her a visit! Guest: Mel Hatch Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

We take a trip to Wheaton, IL to hang at one of the best bars in Chicagoland, Subourbon. Kobe Sargent is the man behind the bar program at this historic whiskey, wine and cocktail establishment. Subourbon is membership-driven bar experience in an 150 year old building where members collect bottles, share stories and drink fantastic cocktails led by Kobe. Listen to Kobe’s story from a curious server to GM Subourbon. Guest: Kobe Sargent Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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 Turnquist Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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 Mancero Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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 Vallejo Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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 Chesney Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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 Moreno Hosts: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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" Giordano Hosts: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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 Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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 Blatter Host: Jake Hukee and John Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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 Bergren Host: Jake Hukee and John Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

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 Torres Host: Jake Hukee and John Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

Stephen and I catch up. We’ve both moved on from our Australian spirits companies. After more than six year, Stephen resigned from being the National Brand Ambassador of Mr. Black. He’s now venturing out on his own, creating his a production for the industry, As Is Productions. Listen to what his creative mind and skillset can do for spirits companies, restaurants, bars and coffeeshops. Guest: Stephen Kurpinsky Host: Jake Hukee Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake

Live from Slightly Toasted for The Battle of The Bastards: the battle for well whiskey supremacy. Forty-five whiskey enthusiasts joined for a bracket challenge of blind tasting eight different work horses that fill our shot glasses, our house cocktails and are always available. Head-to-head the eight whiskeys went until one bastard was left standing. Listen to find out which whiskey it was. Host: Jake Hukee, Matt Brown and John Chesney Listen to more episodes and read stories at keyinthelake.com Key In The Lake