Topic: A Sip of Knowledge: 2020 — A Year in Review

Hosts: Liz Rhoades, Lew Bryson, & Martin Duffy

What You’ll Learn: Join a trio of drink industry veterans in weekly conversation on whiskey, spirits, distilling, marketing and the current state of the drink industry. This week, the crew takes a look back at 2020 with special guests Jake Hukee and Wilson Ramon Torres.

About Jake Hukee, Brand Ambassdor for Starward Whisky: Jake Hukee is the Midwest Brand Ambassador for Starward Whisky. Jake began his spirits career contributing to craft beer publications, before spending three years at KOVAL Distillery in Chicago. Following KOVAL, Jake spent a year contracting as a photographer and brand ambassador for Cooper Spirits and breweries in Chicagoland. In early 2019, Jake created Key In The Lake—a website and podcast dedicated to threading the current identity of the whiskey industry to the principles of the past.

About Wilson Ramon Torres, Brand Specialist/Ambassador for Union Horse Distilling Co.: I’m 1 part introvert, 1 part extrovert, 2 parts creative, 3 parts entrepreneur – shake and double strain over ice.

About the Hosts: 

• Liz Rhoades, founder of Spirit Safe Consulting, former research scientist for DIAGEO, distilling consultant, spirits writer for The Whiskey Wash & presenter.

• Lew Bryson, former managing editor for Whisky Advocate Magazine for 20 years, whiskey author, beer/whiskey writer and presenter.

• Martin Duffy, former DIAGEO Master of Whisky for the Midwest, DIAGEO Reserve Brand Ambassador for The Republic of Ireland, North American Brand Representative for Glencairn Crystal.