Reserve 101 Holds Free Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon Tasting on Tuesday, Feb 22

Maker’s Mark Premium Kentucky Bourbon—the bottle with the red-dipped top—is the centerpiece of Houston downtown whiskey bar Reserve 101’s Feb. 22nd Tuesday Tasting.  It starts at 6 p.m. at the establishment located on the corner of Caroline and Dallas, across from House of Blues.  And the tasting is free with advance registration.

In addition to sampling the original Maker’s Mark, tasters will have an opportunity to enjoy Reserve 101’s mint juleps, made of new Maker’s 46, as well as the bar’s own special infusion of Maker’s Mark, pecans and cinnamon. 

The Samuels family tradition of distilling whiskey dates to 1780, when farmer Robert Samuels—the great-great-great-great grandfather of Maker’s President Bill Samuels, Jr., began making moonshine.  In 1959, after several years of experimentation and aging, Maker’s Mark entered the market, selling just 250 cases at $6.79 per four-fifths-of-a-quart bottle.  The brand has since become a staple for sophisticated bourbon fans.  The company distilled the same whiskey the same way until 2009, when it introduced a second brand, Maker’s 46, which uses original Maker’s Mark as its foundation.

Reserve 101, which specializes in Signature Cocktails, put its own spin on the new product with Maker’s 46 mint juleps.  In addition to its own Maker’s pecan and cinnamon infusion, the bar offers homemade infusions using apple-, peach-, pepper- and other, along with an occasionally oddity, such as tobacco-infused whiskey. 

“We and our customers are willing to try anything, as long as it tastes good,” says Reserve 101 co-owner and whiskey guru Mike Raymond.  “We’ll expect to be introducing new infusions throughout the year.”

The three-year-old business has a bar stocked with 130 varieties of whiskey alone and is often the first in Houston to acquire new brands and small-batch production runs.  Reserve 101 also specializes in unique Martinis and Signature Cocktails as well as wines, beers and other liquors.   Described as “not your daddy’s whiskey bar,” the establishment is frequented by local workers, conventioneers, concertgoers and sports fans before or after Rockets and Astros games, and even an occasional celebrity.  Actor Sean Penn hangs out there when in town, as do boxer Oscar de la Hoya and professional basketball stars.

Reserve 101 is open seven days a week and features Happy “Hour” specials from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.    

Interested bourbon fanciers can register to attend the free Maker’s Mark tasting at: http://www.reserve101.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=1&Itemid=95.

More information about Reserve 101 and whiskeys is available by contacting info@Reserve101.com.