American ryes.

Consumer interest in American Rye whiskeys is surprisingly strong. All of the major producers of American whisky are prepared for the popular renaissance and currently are marketing at least one label of rye whiskey. So if you're looking to stack the deck and offer your whiskey-loving clientele a taste experience they soon won't forget, go back in time and offer them a true slice of Americana.

A rye whiskey must be made with no less than 51% of its mash bill comprised of rye, with the balance typically being malted barley and corn. They are hardy, zesty spirits, loaded with dry, singular personalities. Ironically, it's their big, intense taste profile that may have caused rye whiskeys to lose ground initially to the mellower, sweeter bourbons and soft, blended Scotches.

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Here's a sampling of some of the American ryes now available.

* Hirsch Rye--This classic rye was column distilled in Bardstown, KY in 1983 and then aged for 21 years in oak casks. It is an impressively full and vibrant whiskey with layers of warm, oaky flavors and an extended and satisfying finish.

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* Old Portero Single Malt--Produced at the Anchor Distillery in San Francisco, Old Portero is made in small batches entirely from malted rye. The whiskey is double-distilled in pot stills, aged for one year and bottled at a lofty 123.5 proof. Do not let its relative youth deceive you. Ryes age quickly and in the glass Old Portero is a mature dram.

* Rittenhouse 21-Year-Old Rye--This exquisite, single barrel spirit is drawn from hand-selected casks in Heaven Hill's legendary reserves of aging whiskey. The whiskey has a generous, spicy bouquet and a magnificent palate of fruity, peppery and toasted oak flavors. The finish is long and sublime.

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* Sazerac Rye--Famed Buffalo Trace has two remarkable, super-premium ryes in their portfolio. Sazerac Rye is an 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey with a wafting spicy bouquet and an assertive array of delectable flavors. The whiskey is made in limited production and a member of their Antique Bourbon Collection. Premium Sazerac Rye is equally enticing. Aged for six-years, the 90-proof whiskey is ideally balanced and exceedingly delicious.

* Thomas H. Handy Rye--Added to the Antique Bourbon Collection in 2006, Thomas Handy Rye is produced in very limited production by Buffalo Trace Distillery. This barrel-proof whiskey (132.7 proof) was aged for 8 years and 5 months and is a bold, divinely inspired whiskey brimming with spicy flavors and a long, sultry finish.

* Russell's Reserve Rye--One of the newest ryes on the market, from Pernod Ricard USA, this is a handcrafted, 6-year-old, small-batch produced rye from renowned master distiller Jimmy Russell and his son, associate distiller Eddie Russell. Bottled at 90 proof, it has a rich, tawny color with notes of almond and allspice, followed by crisp lively flavors.

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* Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye--Made by one of the great American families of whiskey distilling, the Van Winkle Family Reserve is a masterpiece aged 13 years and bottled at 95.6 proof. It has a brilliant and singular set of bakery flesh flavors like chocolate, vanilla and toffee.

Robert Plotkin is a judge at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the author of his 16th book, Secrets Revealed of America's Greatest Cocktails--The Hottest Spirits, Freshest Places and Coolest Drinks. He can be reached at BarMedia, 1-800-421-7179, or e-mail him at [e-mail].