SAN FRANCISCO, July 1, 2025 – California continues to lead the country’s wine and craft beer production – accounting for more than 85 percent of the country’s wine and home to more breweries than any other state. This heritage of leadership and quality is the inspiration behind Old Potrero’s newest additions to its California Cellar Series – two newly released premium cask-finished rye whiskeys. The highly allocated Old Potrero Toasted Barrel Rye Whiskey Finished in Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer Barrels (57.3% ABV, 700ml, $79.99 SRP) and Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Almanac Beer Co. Imperial Stout Oak Barrels (57.5% ABV, 700ml, $79.99 SRP), arriving on-shelf this month in key markets and available online, offer an opportunity to taste the marriage of the state’s artisan producers and celebrate their spirit of innovation.

“Old Potrero California Cellar Series is an exciting opportunity to highlight other California producers,” says Head Distiller for Old Potrero, Kevin Aslan. “We all share a commitment to the quality of the final product and an openness to innovation. It was inspiring to collaborate with other exceptional producers from our home state to create these uniquely Californian expressions.”

TASTING NOTES

Old Potrero Toasted Barrel Rye Whiskey Finished in Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer Barrels
(57.3% ABV, 700ml, $79.99 SRP)

Old Potrero Toasted Barrel Rye Whiskey, aged 5 years 8 months and finished in Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer barrels for 14 months.

Nose: Ripe fruit, grassy, caramel, lychee

Palate: Candied caramel, cantaloupe, tropical fruit

Finish: Floral, ginger root, slightly fruity


“We were excited by the opportunity to collaborate with Old Potrero as it's the 'OG' creator of California rye with roots in our ancestral home city of San Francisco. We are even more excited by the results,” says Jeff Bundschu, president of Sonoma’s award-winning Gundlach Bundschu Winery, which was founded in the 1850s. “We’ve always strived for balance and nuance in our wines, and those attributes are in full effect with this intense but delicate new whiskey.”

Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Almanac Beer Co. Imperial Stout Oak Barrels
(57.5% ABV, 700ml, $79.99 SRP)‍

Old Potrero Straight Rye whiskey, aged 6 years 6 months in new charred American Oak barrels, then finished for 5 months in Old Potrero rye barrels that previously aged a custom imperial stout from Almanac Beer Co. for 8 months.

Nose: Rich, chocolate, hint of vanilla, barrel rickhouse

Palate: Caramel, roasted malt, spiced apricot

Finish: Viscous, long finish, deep stone fruit, rye spice

“Born of the ethos ‘Farm to Barrel,’ Almanac and Hotaling & Co. Distillery share deep roots in California,” says João Alameida, brewmaster for Almanac Beer Co. “The result of our collaboration – marrying a strong, malt-forward stout with Old Potrero barrels – brings forward the signature spicy rye note from Old Potrero accompanied by a milk chocolate, dark-malt brûlée nose reminiscent of the beer.”

Old Potrero’s new California Cellar Series expressions are available for purchase online. For more information on Old Potrero, visit OldPotrero.com; for more information on Hotaling & Co. visit HotalingandCo.com.

About Old Potrero
Old Potrero Rye Whiskey is a testament to the power of the pioneering spirit and the celebrated return of pot-distilled whiskey in the United States. Created by Fritz Maytag, the same beverage visionary who sparked the craft beer movement with his purchase of Anchor Brewing in 1965 and the founder of the original Anchor Distilling Co., now Hotaling & Co., Old Potrero is credited as the first American craft whiskey to hit the market since Prohibition. Old Potrero whiskies are distilled in small copper pot stills at the Hotaling & Co. Distillery in San Francisco from a 100% rye malt mash.

About Hotaling & Co.
A born and bred San Francisco original, Hotaling & Co. is the leading distiller and importer of artisanal spirits and cocktail essentials. With dedication to artisanal spirits first started in 1993 under the name Anchor Distilling Company, which heralded the return to copper pot distilling in the U.S. with the original craft introductions of Junipero Gin & Old Potrero Rye Whiskey, Hotaling & Co. carries on a pioneering legacy through its name, giving a nod to the local legend A.P. Hotaling, who ventured West during the Gold Rush and quickly became one of the most reputable spirits dealers in the country and a notable figure in American drinking culture. Fueled by a passion for beverage expertise, education, and hospitality, Hotaling & Co. carries on this tradition of artisanal excellence by bringing together a family of like-minded spirits that share a commitment to craft and care. Today, Hotaling & Co.’s portfolio is synonymous with brands of unmatched quality and character, including Luxardo Liqueurs & Cherries, Nikka Whisky, HIRSCH Selected Whiskeys, Junipero Gin, HINE Cognac, Convite Mezcal, Fiero Tequila, Kavalan Whisky, Denizen Rum, Writers' Tears Whiskey, Old Pulteney Whisky, Speyburn Whisky, Balblair Whisky, Arran Whisky, Old Potrero Rye Whiskey, and more.Visit www.HotalingandCo.com to explore the full range of brands.