Old Potrero 6 Year Rye Whiskey 700ML

Old Potrero 6 Year Rye Whiskey 700ML is a 100% malted rye whiskey aged six years and bottled at 48.5% ABV (97 proof) in a 700ml format. This expression earned a Platinum Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2023 and 96 points with a Gold Medal at the 2023 New York International Spirits Competition, establishing it as one of the more decorated American rye whiskeys in recent years.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48.5% (97 Proof)  |  Origin: San Francisco, California  |  6 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Hotaling & Co. (formerly Anchor Distilling Company)

Production & Heritage

Old Potrero traces its roots to Anchor Distilling Company, the craft spirits arm of San Francisco's legendary Anchor Brewing, which began distilling in the 1990s as one of America's earliest craft whiskey producers. Now operating under the Hotaling & Co. name, the distillery produces this expression using a 100% malted rye mashbill—a rarity in American whiskey, where most rye mashbills blend unmalted rye with corn or other grains. The spirit is distilled in traditional copper pot stills rather than the column stills common in large-scale production, then aged for a full six years. The combination of malting the rye grain and pot still distillation yields a rounder, richer body with textural complexity that column-distilled ryes rarely achieve.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Baked bread and rich vanilla arrive first, followed by stewed plum and dark fruit. Deeper inhalation reveals allspice and cinnamon layered over the signature grain character of malted rye.

Taste: The entry is immediately generous with brown sugar and maple sweetness that coats the palate. Mid-palate, black cherry and dark chocolate emerge alongside a building rye spice. The pot still influence adds a chewy maltiness and a distinct orange peel brightness at the peak.

Finish: Long and assertive, with a pronounced pot still tang and lingering brown sugar that slowly shifts into dry rye spice and cinnamon heat. A nutty quality persists well after each sip, giving the whiskey a satisfying sense of depth.

How to Drink Old Potrero 6 Year

At 48.5% ABV, this whiskey is ideally suited to neat sipping, though a few drops of water open up the darker fruit notes and soften the spice. It also stands up remarkably well in spirit-forward cocktails where the malted rye character can lead. A Manhattan gains unexpected depth from the brown sugar and cherry notes pairing naturally with sweet vermouth. A Sazerac showcases the cinnamon and allspice alongside absinthe's herbal edge. An Old Fashioned allows the maple and baked bread qualities to take center stage with minimal dilution.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates rare mashbill expressions
• Side-by-side tastings comparing malted rye against traditional unmalted rye whiskeys
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cigar
• Building a home bar collection focused on distinctive American craft whiskeys

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old Potrero 6 Year taste like? Old Potrero 6 Year delivers a rich combination of brown sugar, black cherry, and maple sweetness balanced by rye spice, cinnamon, and a chewy maltiness distinct from standard rye whiskeys. The pot still distillation adds a characteristic tang and nuttiness on the long finish.

How does Old Potrero 6 Year compare to New Riff Malted Rye? Both are six-year-old malted rye expressions, but Old Potrero is distilled in copper pot stills in San Francisco while New Riff uses a column beer still at its Kentucky distillery. The pot still method gives Old Potrero a heavier body and more pronounced malty texture, whereas New Riff tends toward a cleaner, more grain-forward profile.

Is Old Potrero 6 Year good for sipping neat? Absolutely—the 48.5% ABV provides enough structure and intensity to reward neat sipping without being overly hot. A small splash of water further reveals the dark fruit and chocolate notes layered beneath the spice.

Where is Old Potrero made? Old Potrero is distilled at the Hotaling & Co. distillery in San Francisco, California, formerly known as Anchor Distilling Company. San Francisco's unique microclimate and moderate temperature swings influence the aging process, contributing to the whiskey's character.

What foods pair well with Old Potrero 6 Year? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and brown sugar notes. Smoked pork belly or barbecue ribs echo the whiskey's sweetness and spice. Aged cheddar or Gruyère cheese matches the nutty finish. Pecan pie amplifies the maple and baked qualities. Charcuterie with dried fruit balances the rye spice with complementary sweetness.

What sizes does Old Potrero 6 Year come in? The primary format is a 700ml bottle at 48.5% ABV (97 proof), which is the standard size for this expression in most markets.

Is Old Potrero 6 Year worth the price? Old Potrero 6 Year positions as a premium craft rye whiskey, justified by its uncommon 100% malted rye mashbill, copper pot still distillation, and six years of aging—production choices that are significantly more labor-intensive and costly than standard rye production. Its multiple 2023 awards, including a BTI Platinum Medal and 90 points from Whiskey Advocate, reinforce its standing in the upper tier of American rye.

Why Old Potrero 6 Year?

The combination of 100% malted rye and copper pot still distillation places Old Potrero 6 Year in exceptionally rare company among American whiskeys—most distillers use unmalted rye and column stills, which produce a fundamentally different spirit. Fred Minnick ranked it among his Top 100 American Whiskeys in 2022, and its 2023 competition haul—Platinum from BTI, 96 points from NYISC, and 90 points from Whiskey Advocate—confirms it is performing at an elite level. Six years of maturation allow the malted grain's natural sweetness and the pot still's weighty texture to fully integrate, resulting in a whiskey that is simultaneously rich and expressive. For anyone seeking a rye that genuinely tastes different from everything else on the shelf, this is one of the most compelling options produced in the United States.