Old Potrero 6 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey (700ml)

"If you’re a fan of traditional ryes, interested in how malting rye is a reinterpretation of just what a rye can taste like, Old Potrero will have a lot to offer." - breakingbourbon.com

Despite its name, Old Potrero is a relatively new whiskey. Fritz Maytag began trying his hand at the pot still in 1993, a time when the concept of craft American spirits simply didn’t exist. The first fruits were bottled uncut and unfiltered and received early critical acclaim. Not long after, things got serious. His series of 18th Century ryes became famous for pushing boundaries and re-invigorating the grain. The Anchor Brewing Company has changed hands several times since, but once again became independent after Japan’s Sapporo Holdings acquired the Anchor Brewing portion of the company in 2017, separating the two. Anchor Distilling changed its name to Hotaling & Co. after losing trademark rights to the ‘Anchor’ name to Sapporo after the deal - hence, we now have a new incarnation of this American gem, with a completely new presentation. The liquid inside follows Fritz Maytag's vision of what a traditional American Rye should be, only he's officially passed the torch to Bruce Joseph who is now Master Distiller.

We tasted several iterations of Old Potrero when it was released in batches referred to as 'Essays'. The last one was essay MCMXCIII. Since then, the quality and style has been well honed and maintained. Everything about this rye is great, from the profuse aromas of honey and dried herbs (tarragon, thyme), rye crackers, pencil shavings and peppercorns, through to a delivery that is never for a second hot, prickly or aggressive. What strikes you most about the palate is the superb texture: buttery, supple and perfectly rounded. Keeping the barrel input to a minimum really lets every aspect of the grain shine. Oily rye and honeycomb follow with sprinklings of oak shavings, vanilla, pepper and dried herbs (thyme, caraway and muddled mint). Brown sugar and dark chocolate unravel late in the aftertaste. From beginning to end, this brilliant, one-of-a-kind expression changes your perceptions of what rye whiskey can be. 48.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... Lively, aromatic, and grain-forward, with bright notes of red fruits, black currant, and roasted caraway seeds. Lots of depth on the palate, with baked raspberry and blackberry notes. It's hot and spicy, but water quells it without losing the spice explosion, red berry notes, and roasted rye. Warm and more mellow on the finish, with excellent integration of oak, coffee, and bitter chocolate. Spice and tartness, with ably balanced fruit. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com

Platinum and 96 points: Beverage Testing Institution - 2023

...A 100% malted rye mashbill combined with Hotaling & Co.’s style of whiskey making combines to create a whiskey that plays outside of the traditional rye whiskey box. I’ve often referred to Old Potrero whiskeys as hidden gems. Their distribution outside of the west coast is weak, and their marketing follows suit. Given the recent renaming of the company and rebranding of Old Potrero whiskeys, they seem to have renewed vigor. As someone who thoroughly enjoys the company’s whiskey despite some shortcomings, I’m curious if more people will be willing to give them a try. Their whiskeys taste unique, and while they don’t venture too deep into polarizing territory, they will challenge some. Using a pot still combined with their particular way of making whiskey has a certain amount of special sauce that seems to get overlooked by most whiskey drinkers. If you’re a fan of traditional ryes, interested in how malting rye is a reinterpretation of just what a rye can taste like, Old Potrero will have a lot to offer. - breakingbourbon.com