Old Potrero B&B Single Barrel Reserve 8.5 Year Rye Whiskey

At Bitters & Bottles, one of our favorite times of the year is the arrival of our Old Potrero Private Barrel. We love Old Potrero. It’s not just that they are locals, with all of their distilling done right here in San Francisco. It’s not just that they are true craft distillers, using old-school methods (like copper pot stills, worm tub condensers, and barrels seasoned for two years and hand toasted and charred) to make their whiskey. It’s not just the uniqueness of their product - there aren’t many whiskies made from 100% malted rye and fewer still that ferment using brewer’s yeast. While all those things are true and wonderful, the real reason we love Old Potrero is that it is freaking delicious.

Selected onsite in San Francisco, Barrel #7 was distilled on October 27, 2014 and aged 8 years and 7 months in a #3 char barrel before bottling without chill filtration at a cask strength of 132.6 proof. The nose opens beautifully with scents of fresh baked pumpernickel rye bread along with maple syrup, spicy dill, black cherry, and a touch of oak. The palate likewise begins with flavors of lightly toasted dark rye bread followed by spicy black pepper and dill. Citrus oil joins on the midpalate as flavors turn sweeter, with milk chocolate and toffee notes. The finish is herbal and sweet with mint, dill, mocha, hazelnut, and a touch of tropical fruit. More mature and robust than the already great six year release, Barrel #7 showcases the gorgeous breadth and depth of flavor possible in a 100% malted rye and drinks well below its muscular ABV.