Born and Bred
San Francisco
EST 1993
100% Rye Whiskey
A Taste As Bold As The City It Was Founded.
100% Rye Whiskey
A Taste As Bold As The City It Was Founded.
The original Anchor Distilling Company was established in 1993 by Fritz Maytag, the same beverage visionary who sparked the craft beer movement with his purchase of Anchor Brewing in 1965. Maytag had rescued the struggling brewery and its iconic steam beer, and after several decades of exclusively producing beer, Maytag saw an opportunity to expand into the distillation of spirits.
Fritz’s vision of a rye whiskey revival was fueled by the bold realization that there were no pot-distilled whiskeys being made legally in America at the time. Finding inspiration in the rye whiskeys of America’s past and the great single malt whiskeys of Scotland, Fritz gathered a small team to begin top secret research and experimentation in the distillery. The first whiskey went into barrel in 1994, and the distillery soon began producing three rye whiskeys under Fritz’s guidance, all pot-distilled spirit from a mash of 100% malted rye.
Old Potrero is an attempt to recreate the original whiskey of America, and marks the return of pot-distilled whiskey in the United States. It’s distilled in a small copper pot still at the Hotaling & Co. Distillery on San Francisco’s Potrero Hill from a mash of 100% rye malt, with rye being the grain of choice for America’s first distillers.
In 2010, Fritz officially passed the torch to Bruce Joseph, who is now the Master Distiller of Old Potrero. Fritz and Bruce had worked alongside each other since the first barrels were laid down in 1994. The whiskey has been historically distilled in small copper pot stills at the Hotaling & Co. Distillery in San Francisco.
In Bruce's own words: "Old Potrero new packaging and bottle embody the boldness of a city that's resilient, creative and richly historic. Our Straight Rye and Toasted Barrel Whiskeys are now aged a minimum of six years to ensure exquisite quality and taste.
Old Potrero reintroduces Old Potrero 18th Century Style Whiskey, now called Old Potrero Toasted Barrel Whiskey, distilled in a small copper pot still from a mash of 100 percent rye malt and aged in new, toasted, 24-month air-dried, handmade, extra-fine grain American White Oak barrels for a minimum of 6 years.
Originally called it 18th Century Style Whiskey because, in 18th-century traditional barrel making, the cooper heats the staves over a fire of oak chips, allowing them to be bent and formed into a barrel. During this process, the inside of the barrel becomes lightly toasted. Handmade oak barrels—toasted traditionally—impart a rich color and unique character to this rye whiskey.
Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey is aged in new handmade extra-fine grain charred American oak barrels for at least 6 years. By the early 19th century, coopers had learned that if they continued to heat the staves, the inside of the barrel would burst into flames and become charred. Handmade oak barrels—charred in this traditional manner—impart a rich color and unique character to this rye whiskey.
As they have since 2006, the distillers at Hotaling & Co. present this whiskey, in commemoration and celebration of our remarkable city's rebirth following the tragic 1906 earthquake and fire. This product is inspired by the words of Charles K. Field who immortalized the Hotaling name in his poem recounting the survival of A.P. Hotaling & Co.'s Jackson Street whiskey warehouse when he penned these lines: "If, as they say, God spanked the town / for being over frisky. / Why did He burn the churches down / and save Hotaling's whiskey?" Bottled in bond in San Francisco. 100% malted rye aged at least 16 years in once-used charred, fine-grain, American oak barrels. Only 40 cases available.
Discover the California Cellar Series, inspired by the exceptional wineries of our beloved state. Our Master Distiller carefully selects premium casks in partnership with esteemed winemakers to reflect our collaborative vision. We aim to showcase the best of our state's heritage and innovation by teaming up with exceptional California brands. Join us on this journey of exploration and celebration of the Golden State's finest.
Old Potrero Straight Rye Finished in Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon American Oak Barrels for 5 months
Old Potrero Toasted Barrel Rye Whiskey Finished in Sonoma Portworks Petite Sirah Port Barrels for 17 months
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST This festive whiskey is an homage to San Francisco brewing and a celebration of pioneering spirits. Our distillers started with an iconic San Francisco Christmas Ale from 2011 and distilled it twice in copper pot stills before aging the spirit for over 12 years in once-used Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey barrels. This Spirit of Christmas Past is distilled and bottled in San Francisco from a mash bill of Christmas Spiced Ale. This whiskey offers an evolving bouquet of orange, chocolate, and vanilla, balancing flavors of roasted barley, sweet cinnamon, and spiced berries.
We are proud to showcase two distinct Old Potrero Single Barrels; Straight Rye Whiskey and Toasted Barrel. Each barrel contains the consistent quality of our 100% malted rye whiskey with unique nuances from barrel to barrel. It is distilled in San Francisco, aged in extra fine-grain new American Oak.
