Old Potrero Rye 45%

[bamber]

I so wanted to like this stuff Jim Murray raves about it (not this particular 'essay' though), it's North American rye, it's described as a big whisky, which is full of flavour. AND it cost me as much as a nice CS SMWS bottling !!

First of all it tastes nothing like any other whisky I've ever tried. In fact it does not taste like whisky (IMHO). I thought it was like a cross between some weird brandy / grappa and a cheap rum. I felt I could still detect smell a hint of 'white dog' on the nose and I found the mouthfeel to be oily in a way I did not like ! Sure the stuff has a lot of flavours - just not very nice ones (IMO)

Personally I think it would benefit from *a lot* longer in the wood. Myself and a friend stacked it up against Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Glenlivet 18yo and Laphroaig 10yo CS and it was like moonshine in comparison (IMHO).

Ok I've only had one pour and I'll come back to it, but right now I don't like it and I think it is a rip off

[Aidan]

Hi Bamber

I have had the cask strength stuff. It really grows on you. Lots of aniseed. Lots and lots and lots of aniseed, actually.

I love it - every now and again I take a sip and it lasts me for hours.

[bamber]

Hi Aidan,
It may yet grow on me too. There is a lot of flavours there, and it may prove to be an acquired taste. I had trouble naming flavours as it did not fit into a 'normal' whisky experience.

I'll have a few more pours over the next 4-5 days and post any change on perspective, but right now it's not for me.

[voigtman]

Bamber, which Old Potrero essay do you have? The latest two esays are getting good comments over at sb.com, but I had several bottles of essay 7 a few years ago, and it was awful. The first pour/dram from a freshly opened bottle was very good indeed, but then the bottle's contents, despite optimum storage, went very bad: all subsequent pours were almost undrinkable. Ended up pouring half a bottle down the drain and giving another away. If you have essay 7, see if it evolves, because it sure isn't "intelligent design!" Ed V.

[bamber]

I think it's 10-SRW-ARM-B (I don't have the bottel to hand). JM gives the 'A' version of this 93 and is very positive about it.

So you're saying this stuff will get worse now its open !! Doesn't sound too hopeful.

[voigtman]

I think it's 10-SRW-ARM-B (I don't have the bottel to hand). JM gives the 'A' version of this 93 and is very positive about it.

So you're saying this stuff will get worse now its open !! Doesn't sound too hopeful.

So you have an essay 10. It should be better than my old essay 7s were, and maybe it will improve with bottle aging/oxidation. Frankly, I really want to love Old Potrero, but now I am very wary of it. Of course, it helps that it is not available anywhere near me and internet ordering is illegal where I live (as in most US states). Ed V.

[bamber]

I too want to like it but I don't !! I'll post again if it changes with time.

[bamber]

Ok - day 2. I'm already starting to back up. A lot of the raw distillate 'aromas' seem to have burnt off and this dram / pour was quite a pleasant experience.

Still really hard to verbalise the tasting notes - carraway / 'Aidan's aniseed' seems to be there and some honey. Will try again tomorrow (tough life )

[patrick dicaprio]

Myself and a friend stacked it up against Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Glenlivet 18yo and Laphroaig 10yo CS and it was like moonshine in comparison (IMHO).(

thats some hefty competition there!

i really enjoyed the old potrero, admittedly though i only had it at two tastings and havent bought a bottle. definitely a unique taste though.

Pat

[bamber]

A week on and I like this stuff. It will never be a favourite but it is unique and robustly flavoured.

I've noticed that it seems to change a lot after being opened and the cork is extremely tightly fitted - need to wedge it with a spoon to save the skin on my hands ! I wonder if this is to protect it from oxidation.

All in all I'm glad I have a bottle and have tried it, but I'm not sure it is worth the money unless you really want to try something completely different.