Fresh caramel | Golden raisin | Cantaloupe | Sweet corn | Toasted oak | Stone fruit | Roasted malt

Toasted oak | Graham cracker | Toasted bread | Baking spices

Roasted malt | Plum | Rye spice | Faint clove & anise | Lingering sweet maltiness

Old Potrero Toasted Barrel 6 Year Whiskey is a rebrand of the company’s 18th Century Style Whiskey that has been on the market for over a decade. The whiskey got its original name from how whiskey distillers in the 18th Century used to age their whiskey in toasted barrels before switching to charred barrels, and according to Hotaling, they are the only ones offering such a whiskey. More commonly, many producers toast their barrels before charring them, or finish their bourbon or rye in toasted barrels. Old Potrero Toasted Barrel 6 Year Whiskey also features a much higher age statement from the company’s previous release, going from 2 years, 6 months to 6+ years.

This 100% malted rye opens with big bright scents of fresh caramel, golden raisin, cantaloupe, and surprisingly, sweet corn. Out of nowhere, the aroma switches gears and drops down to a more robust layer of toasted oak, stone fruit, and roasted malt. It’s a truly unique aroma that keeps you guessing. It tastes just as unique too, with a big toasted oak note that’s more robust than any toasted finished bourbon or rye you might have had. The whiskey layers on graham cracker, toasted bread, and a mix of baking spices. The finish is nicely layered with a robust roasted malt note offset by plum, rye spice, and faint clove and anise providing depth. There’s a lingering sweet maltiness taste that caps the whiskey off nicely.

Old Potrero Toasted Barrel 6 Year Whiskey is a fascinating sip. Being able to taste a rye that spent its entire time aging in toasted barrels provides a new tasting experience. It’s surprising how flavorful this whiskey’s sip is given its proof, and how many toasted barrel finished bourbons and ryes come off as much more soft-tasting in comparison. Old Potrero Toasted Barrel 6 Year Whiskey is much more oak-forward than many other 6 year old whiskeys and it does run the risk of overpowering some of the sip’s more delicate flavors. As a fan of the company’s Old Potrero Single Malt Straight Rye, I love the variation the toasted barrel aging provides against their standard release. Old Potrero continues to fly under the radar, which is surprising given how long they’ve been around and how much their whiskeys have to say.