Cardhu, Clynelish & Caol Ila Single Malts Tasting at Houston Bar Reserve101

Nov. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- Downtown bar Reserve 101 presents three little-known single malts Cardhu, Clynelish and Caol Ila at a complimentary tasting of Classic Malts from Diageo, the world’s largest premium spirits business, on Tuesday, Nov. 29th, at 6:30 p.m.   Space is limited; register at http://reserve101.com/whiskey-tastings-houston.
“These single malts may not be known to many Houstonians; our mission is to introduce discerning whiskey lovers to brands they may not have tried, and these excellent brands certainly fit the bill,” said Reserve 101 co-owner and whiskey expert Mike Raymond.  

Cardhu is a Speyside distillery founded by whiskey smuggler John Cumming in 1824 in Scotland’s Speyside region.  Cumming’s wife sold bottles of the single malt to passers by through their farmhouse window.  It was rebuilt in 1885 on a new plot of land and production tripled.  Much of the whiskey was sold to Johnnie Walker and Sons for blending.  The distillery was sold to Johnnie Walker in 1893, but the Cumming family continued to operate it until World War II.

The Clynelish Distillery, located in the Highland village of Brora, Sutherland, was founded in 1872.  The distillery has had a longstanding relationship with Johnnie Walker and Sons; much of its production is used in blending Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve.  Clynelish single malt is aged 15 years.

Caol Ila is a peaty Islay single malt.  The distillery was founded in 1846 on a site overlooking the strait between Islay and Jura.  It was closed during World War II due to a shortage of barley, reopening in 1945.  The distillery was demolished in 1972 and rebuilt; production resumed in 1974.  In addition to being sold as single malt, Caol Ila whiskey is used in blending Johnnie Walker and Black Bottle Scotch.  It has won numerous top awards in international spirits competitions.

Reserve 101, “not your daddy’s whiskey bar,” is located at the corner of Caroline and Dallas, next to Dirt Bar and across from House of Blues.  It won the “People’s Choice” award for best bar atmosphere in this year’s Houston Press “Best of Houston” competition, has the finest whiskey selection in the Southwest, with 200 varieties of popular and small-batch, hard-to-find whiskeys from around the world, and is expanding its whiskey portfolio to 300 brands.

The downtown Houston bar will begin to offer evening food service this winter in an arrangement with Bernie’s Burger Bus owner Justin Turner.  It has an events room ideally suited for holiday parties and other private gatherings.  The neighborhood establishment is also known for its Signature Cocktails and infusions, organic material steeped in liquor to impart distinctive flavors.  

“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 info@Reserve101.com.

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Reserve 101 is the premier whiskey bar in Houston. It stocks over 130 premium whiskeys, is often first with new products from distilleries worldwide, and frequently hosts tastings from distinguished, award-winning distillers, vineyards and breweries.