The whiskey that fueled George Washington’s army at Valley Forge Rye whiskey is making a comeback, and by customer request.

To meet growing interest, Reserve 101 will host a complimentary tasting of several American rye brands on Tuesday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the downtown Houston bar located at the corner of Caroline and Dallas across from House of Blues.

Reserve 101 co-owner and whiskey expert Mike Raymond will conduct the special-request tasting of Sazerac 6-year, Michter's Straight Rye, Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond 100-proof Rye Whiskey and Ri1 (pronounced “rye one”). To register for the complimentary tasting, visit http://reserve101.com/whiskey-tastings-houston.

American rye whiskey, a favorite in the Northeast, is made from a mash containing at least 51 percent rye, distilled to no more than 160 proof and aged in charred, new oak barrels. The whiskey largely disappeared after Prohibition, but has undergone a recent resurgence in popularity.

“A lot of people have never tried American rye whiskey and we’re responding to customer requests for a tasting,” said Raymond. “We have selected some great whiskeys for the event.”

Sazerac Company of New Orleans is an independent, family-owned firm that dates to 1869. Michter’s, despite a gap in its lineage, is arguably America’s oldest existing rye brand and is believed by historians to have supplied George Washington’s army at Valley Forge. Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye Whiskey was named “North American Whiskey of the Year” in the 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ri1 is produced by Beam Global Spirits & Wine, the world’s fourth-largest premium liquor company and the largest in the United States. The company owns Jim Beam, among other major brands.

Reserve 101, “not your daddy’s whiskey bar,” has the best collection of premium whiskey in the region, stocking over 170 varieties. Infusions—organic materials steeped in liquor to impart unique flavors—are a Reserve 101 specialty, along with Martinis, Signature Cocktails, beer, wine and other liquors.

Reserve 101 is located downtown at the corner of Caroline and Dallas, across from House of Blues. “Happy Hour,” with dollar-off beers and wines and half-price signature cocktails runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday with specials just about every day of the week, including Sundays.

More information about Reserve 101 and whiskeys is available by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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