Light citrus | Nougat | Faint toffee | Toasted malt | Toasted aged oak

Creamy | Rye spice | Nougat | Spiced caramel | Faint marshmallow fluff | Touch of edible flower

Rye spice | Baking spices | Chewy toasted malt | White peppercorn spice | Aged oak | Faint coffee ice cream | Flavorful

This year marks the 119th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, the home of Hotaling & Co. While the earthquake caused widespread devastation, A.P. Hotaling’s whiskey warehouse was left undamaged. Every year, the brand celebrates this occasion with a limited annual Bottled in Bond release featuring their 100% malted rye mashbill. This year’s release was distilled at Hotaling’s original Potrero Hill Distillery and also aged in once-used charred fine-grain American oak Old Potrero barrels. The whiskey comes in a commemorative gift box, and the total release consists of only 431 bottles.

Old Potrero Hotaling’s 13 Year Old Bottled in Bond Rye leans into its used aging barrels. It starts with a nice aroma that is focused on toasted malt and aged oak, which has light citrus and nougat scents woven in. The palate is creamy in nature with a focus on rye spice and spiced caramel, with nougat and a faint marshmallow fluff note adding sweetness. Interestingly, an odd note of edible flower is present, yet it isn’t distracting. The finish is the star of the show, bursting with flavor that lingers, and focuses on a plethora of spices and chewy toasted malt. Overall, this is a nice showing by the distillery, and while it doesn’t quite live up to last year’s release, the overall sip will be sure to please fans of the brand.