Perhaps it’s magic elves who transformed a spiced ale from Christmas past into a holiday whiskey by San Francisco’s craft distilling OG, Old Potrero.
It was 2011 when the Hotaling & Co. team decided to distill a portion of its San Francisco Christmas Spiced Ale. Twelve years later, the Old Potrero Christmas Spirit is born. Released just in time for the holidays, this instant collectible is perfect for whiskey fans looking for something unique. It even comes with “to and from” tags to let the lucky recipient know it came from you. Bottles are available for purchase in California and online beginning November 15, and with only 552 bottles created, it’s wise to make haste. MSRP on the limited edition is $140 for 700 ml.
What’s In The Bottle?
As mentioned, the base of this innovation is a spiced ale brewed in 2011. It was distilled twice in pot stills and aged for 12 years in once-used ex-rye barrels. The final spirit is bottled at 100 proof.
How Does It Taste?
Expect aromas of orange, chocolate, and vanilla that turn to “balancing flavors” of toasted barley, spicy cinnamon, and spiced berries.
John McCarthy is a spirit, travel, and lifestyle journalist, managing editor, and author of The Modern Gentleman and Whiskey Rebels: The Dreamers, Visionaries & Badasses Who Are Revolutionizing American Whiskey. McCarthy is also editor of Barleycorn Drinks and Director of Judging of the John Barleycorn Awards.
