By Richard Thomas

Score: B

Previous Potrero Port Cask End Rye
(Credit score: Previous Potrero)

Previous Potrero’s signature model is a 100% malted rye whiskey, which is why they name themselves a “single malt,” regardless that that time period is most frequently related to malted barley. The California distiller has been pursuing this model because the Nineties, a part of a distinguished class of small distillers who had been doing craft whiskey a decade earlier than craft whiskey turned even an embryonic factor.

Again in Might, Previous Potrero launched a trio of latest expressions. One was a single barrel, and one other was a Port cask-finished whiskey. This latter was bottled at 7 years, 3 months of age, and at a cask energy of 131.2 proof.

The Whiskey
This pour, with its vivid bronze coloring, got here as a shock to me. Not due to the colour, however as a result of at greater than 65% ABV, it’s really fairly reasonable in tone. Though some water definitely improved its character, it wasn’t scorching on the nostril or the palate because it stood. The nostril is musty, candy and thick with molasses, however principally holds the character of Christmas-spiced crimson wine. The flavour follows in a lot the identical vein, however with an added layer of deep vanilla. It’s a wealthy, heavy whiskey, with the excessive ABV expressing itself principally in weight fairly than warmth. The end runs with spicy wooden and wine, however doesn’t run on that approach for lengthy.

The Port cask end actually sings on this whiskey, forming a present at the least as potent because the malted rye and first maturation in new American oak. That cask end stands as a full co-star within the act. The opposite standout characteristic right here is, as I discussed earlier than, that it’s a fairly potent cask energy whiskey that lands on the senses with heft fairly than fireplace.

The Value
The official retail value for this bottle is $90.