A Merry Christmas from Key In The Lake—even though we really don’t talk Christmas. Matt Brown joins Jake and Wilson to discuss the new tax reform on craft distillers; and the impact taxes will have on the future of distilling. The guys also chat about their mutual disgust for Campari, Matt’s short-lived folk singing career, the future plans for their respective distilleries, all while drinking four barrel samples that Jake provided from Starward Whisky.

Live from The Longroom in Chicago, Begyle Brewing and friends join Jake for breakfast podcast. We break bread, pop some bottles and sip on coffee to celebrate the 2019 Barrel-Aged Imperial Pajamas Bottle Release at Begyle. Bob Zacharias of Fountainhead Chicago and Kevin Cary, Begyle’s owner, co-host this episode as brewers, retailers and friends join the conversation on barrel-aged brews, and the impact award winning beers–like Begyle’s 2018 Barrel-Aged Imperial Pajamas–have on the local community. Chicago is the city to drink in. Cheers.

Harrison Pious is back. We begin with Bourbon talk, including the news out of Texas craft juggernaut Balacones, and the projection of booze in the media. Then, well, then we fall down a ‘90s/Aughts movies rabbit hole, before returning to whiskey. The second half of the pod, we discuss how to create the perfect whiskey festival for both event runners and festival consumers.

Callum O’Donnell returns to the show. He tangentially shares insights on WWll; reminisces about his drinking exploits while stints in Canada, the Caribbean and Spain; all while sharing his top 5 adult beverages. Callum brought the stories and we brought the laughs. 

From the Begyle International Recording Studios (Begyle Brewing), comes the second half of our conversation with Marty Duffy. Marty delightfully shares more stories on his development of becoming a global ambassador of whisky; along with the true meaning of being a representative of a brand. Marty walks us through his time in Europe working on universal projects to narrower/local developments such as; sitting in Chicago’s own Delilah’s and buying a round of Green Label for the entire bar.

This is the first episode of a two-parter with Martin Duffy. 

Martin Duffy is one of the most important people of the Chicago whiskey scene, and across the States. To us, he is a whisky luminary–always attending events, invariably holding a dram at Chicago’s finest taverns and steadily gallivanting across the world with a Glencairn Crystal in-hand. Marty’s efforts to spread the good word of whiskey from the top producers in the Diageo portfolio to supporting the bright-eyed craft brands cannot be understated. So, please sit back and listen to Marty’s journey from a novice bartender–incapable of making a standard cocktail–to becoming a global ambassador for the water of life.

Whiskey takes a back seat this week. The founder/owner of Begyle Brewing and Begyle International Recording Studios joins the show to collect rent and have a conversation on beer. Begyle recently won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Stout category with their inspirational Barrel Aged Imperial Pajamas. The humble Mr. Cary shares the origins of their barrel-aging program and the growth of the overall brewery.

Co-founder Phil Thompson of Thompson Bros at Dornoch Distillery made the trip from Scotland just to visit Wilson and Jake in Jake’s living room. Phil explains the growing pains, the determination and the passion involved to build Dornoch’s first whisky distillery. Phil and his brother Simon founded their distillery in 2016 backed by a crowdfounding campaign. Phil goes into detail on how they initially received attention from investors; and how they’re achieving their goals of producing quality spirit supported by the folks that took a chance on their passion/dream.

Sean McQueen and Sam Bergren visit Jake’s living room to chat about the beginning stages of craft distilling in the Midwest, and the progression of the industry since Mississippi first opened its doors. The gentlemen also discuss the impact of brand identity by maintaining a clear focus with an innovative approach to releasing new brands. The four also taste through a new line of experimental products called Cody Road X.

Our delightful friends from Aberlour are back—well, new friends. Callum O’Donnell, Chicago Brand Ambassador, joins the show with Taylor Mentzer. Taylor is the winner of the Designing Louder Than Words Competition — a collaboration between Aberlour and Design Museum of Chicago. We discuss the techniques, the passion and the inspiration that Taylor drew from our great city of Chicago to produce a truly elegant package for the 15 Year Old release. We also chat Whisky, and the parallels we all draw between art and Whisky.