Old Potrero is a pioneering American rye whiskey brand born out of San Francisco, California. Originally introduced in 1996 by Anchor Distilling Co. — later renamed Hotaling & Co. in 2018 — Old Potrero was conceived as an ambitious attempt to recreate the original whiskey of America and marked the return of pot-distilled whiskey in the United States. The brand takes its name from Potrero Hill, the San Francisco neighborhood where the distillery is located. What sets Old Potrero apart is its commitment to traditional craft: all expressions are distilled in small copper pot stills from a mash of 100% rye malt, a method that harks back to 18th-century American distilling traditions. This dedication to authenticity — long before craft whiskey became fashionable — has made Old Potrero one of the oldest malted rye whiskey brands in the country. The portfolio includes expressions such as the 18th Century Style Rye Whiskey and the California Cellar Series, each reflecting the brand's artisanal roots. Old Potrero blazed a trail for the craft rye whiskey movement decades before it took off, yet has historically struggled with broader recognition. In recent years, the brand relaunched with a refreshed bottle design and contemporary packaging aimed at a new generation of whiskey drinkers. The Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey earned a Silver medal at the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards, signaling a renewed momentum for this trailblazing label.