Old Portero Port Finished Bourbon Review

Distillery: Hotaling & Co—San Francisco, CA

Proof: 113.6 (53.25% ABV)

Age: Five Years, Ten Months

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

MSRP: $100/70ml

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Old World Technique Meets Innovative Finishing

There are distillers who stay with the tried and true—then there are those who make bold moves. This is the latter. In a rather striking blend of pot-stilled, grain-forward whiskey tradition and the craftsmanship of California winemaking, Hotaling & Co. has released the second installment in its California Cellar Series: Old Potrero Toasted Barrel Rye Whiskey finished in Sonoma Portworks Petite Sirah Port Barrels.  This release brings together Old Potrero’s hallmark 100% malted rye whiskey—aged for nearly six years in new toasted oak—with a finishing period in barrels sourced from Sonoma Portworks, a small-batch producer known for its dessert wines and fortified Petite Sirah.

Old Potrero is distilled by Hotaling & Co., a San Francisco-based company with roots that reach back to the city’s post-Gold Rush era.  Formerly known as Anchor Distilling, Hotaling & Co. was rebranded in 2018 to honor A.P. Hotaling—a whiskey merchant whose namesake building somehow survived the 1906 earthquake and fire.  The company has played a pioneering role in craft spirits, particularly through Old Potrero, which was one of the first post-Prohibition whiskies to use 100% malted rye and pot distillation. Long before “grain-to-glass” became an overused buzzword in the whiskey world, Old Potrero was quietly reintroducing traditional rye whiskey using historic methods—open fermentation, direct-fire stills, and an emphasis on unfiltered, high-proof products.

Old Potrero continues to forge its own path in rye whiskey, especially through its enduring commitment to 100% malted rye.  With this collaboration, the distillery adds a layer of fruit-forward nuance to its robust and earthy rye whiskey foundation.  Let’s see how this expression holds up across the ratings…..

Old Portero Port Finished Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.2/5

Lemon zest leads the way, lifted by a grain-forward brightness.  A distinctly grassy undertone adds fresh elements which give the Nose a light but structured profile.

Palate – 4.5/5

A wonderfully oily mouthfeel sets the stage, delivering notes of mint—specifically a mild sweet wintergreen character—that pleasantly coats the tongue.  There’s also a subtle but persistent fruitiness that complements the herbal mint notes, giving a clean, cooling sensation without losing the oily richness.

Finish – 4.5/5

The Finish is medium, with a notable shift toward the back Palate, where a burst of cracked black pepper emerges.  It’s a clean, spicy exit that contrasts the mint and fruit from the Palate, adding a late stage surprise that is completely unexpected but very welcomed.

Value – 4/5

At $100 for a 700ml bottle, this release isn’t positioned for the casual sipper.  For enthusiasts who appreciate distinctive finishing techniques and want a rye that showcases what happens when California terroir meets urban distilling, there is solid Value here.  The
feels like a collaboration that took a good whiskey and made it into something good and different.  It avoids the trap of a gimmicky product.

Old Portero Port Finished Bourbon Review: The Verdict

Old Potrero’s partnership with Sonoma Portworks is a standout example of how secondary finishing can deepen complexity but not steal the spotlight.  This release stays true to the distillery’s roots while adding a layer of innovation.  It’s an elegant, expressive pour that rewards those looking for something that balances the familiar with the unique.. Shop here.

Verdict – 4.3/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3