Old Potrero Launches Three Single Barrel Rye Expressions

Hotaling & Co’s Old Potrero whiskey brand recently announced the debut of its latest single barrels – a 100% Straight Rye Whiskey, a 100% Straight Rye Sherry Cask Finish, and a 100% Straight Rye Port Cask Finish.

A statement from the distiller notes that Old Potrero has undergone a complete brand re-launch in the past year, featuring new packaging and bottle design.

The three limited expressions, only 6,400 bottles total nationwide, will feature the newly designed packaging and bottle. The single barrels of whiskey were hand selected by Master Distiller Bruce Joseph.

Hotaling & Co’s Old Potrero whiskey brand recently announced the debut of its latest single barrels – a 100% Straight Rye Whiskey, a 100% Straight Rye Sherry Cask Finish, and a 100% Straight Rye Port Cask Finish. (image via Hotaling & Co.)

“We are elated to showcase these three limited expressions as some of the best examples of Old Potrero, from more than 50 barrels tasted,” Joseph said. “Each barrel contains the consistent quality of our rye whiskey with unique nuances from barrel to barrel, distilled in San Francisco and all aged in extra fine grain American oak.”

He described Old Potrero Rye Whiskey as an homage to the original artisanal whiskies of America, “a testament to the power of the pioneering spirit and the celebrated return of pot-distilled whiskey in the United States.”

Since 1993, Old Potrero whiskey has been distilled in small copper pot stills at its San Francisco-based distillery.

Joseph’s tasting notes for the three new expressions:

The Old Potrero Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey, $89.99, is aged in extra fine grain American oak. The wood is air dried for 24 months and the barrels are fully toasted and charred by hand over an oak fire. The mash of 100% malted rye is fermented for four days and then double distilled in traditional copper pot whiskey stills.

• It’s aged 8 years, 3 months. ABV: 64.95%. Proof: 129.9.
• On the nose, stone fruit, a bit of hay, dry grass, maple, and oak.
• On the palate, toffee, expresso, gentle sweetness, spice, and caramel.

The Old Potrero Sherry Cask Finish, $89.99, is aged in extra fine grain American oak and finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. The wood is air dried for 24 months and the barrels are toasted and charred by hand over an oak fire and finally finished in a used sherry cask. The mash of 100% malted rye is fermented for four days and then double distilled in traditional copper pot whiskey stills.

• It’s aged 4 years, 3 months, ABV: 63.23%. Proof: 126.5.
• On the nose, floral and spicy, oak, wet grain field.
• On the palate, gently sweet, rye spice, fruity with pear notes, French oak character.

The Old Potrero Port Cask Finish, $89.99, aged in extra fine grain American oak and finished in French oak Port casks. The wood is air dried for 24 months and the barrels are toasted and charred by hand over an oak fire and finally finished in a 60-gallon port cask. The mash of 100% malted rye is fermented for four days and then double distilled in traditional copper pot whiskey stills.

• It’s aged 7 years, 3 months. ABV 65.6%. Proof: 131.2.
• On the nose, rich, full spice and fruity, herbal.
• On the palate, deep stone fruit, rich, rye backbone and firmness throughout.

All three expressions will be available starting in May at ReserveBar.com and at select retailers in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Georgia, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Minnesota.

For more information, check out www.oldportrero.com.