Old Potrero Christmas Spirit 2025 is a 9-year-old whiskey from Hotaling & Co. in San Francisco, made from a 2015 Christmas ale, distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged in used Old Potrero rye barrels. It is bottled at 50% ABV, and only 462 bottles were produced.
Hotaling & Co., home of Old Potrero and the former Anchor Distilling, began its Christmas Spirit tradition by distilling the brewery's annual holiday ale, a recipe that changes every year. The resulting whiskey carries the spice and malt of the festive beer, deepened by years in rye barrels.
The nose brings spiced fruitcake, candied orange, evergreen, apple and cocoa. On the palate come malt, baking spices, ginger, hops and toasted oak, and the finish brings roasted malt and white peppercorn.
The festive label with its Christmas tree makes it a perfect holiday gift.
Pour it neat by the fire, or with a splash of water.
American whiskey covers a wide range of styles, from bourbon and rye to single malts and light whiskeys, and independent blenders and small producers have made it one of the most exciting categories in spirits.
Distilling beer rather than a plain wash is how all malt whiskey begins, but using a finished, spiced holiday ale carries its seasonal character into the spirit. Each year's Christmas ale is different, so every Christmas Spirit release is a snapshot of one particular year's brew, which makes the series a favourite with collectors.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Spiced fruitcake, candied orange, evergreen and cocoa.
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Palate: Malt, baking spice, ginger, hops and toasted oak.
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Finish: Roasted malt and white peppercorn.
Specifications
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Producer: Hotaling & Co. (Old Potrero)
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Style: American Whiskey distilled from Christmas ale
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Expression / Batch: Christmas Spirit 2025, 462 bottles
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Age: 9 years
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Proof / ABV: 100 proof (50% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Used Old Potrero rye barrels; copper pot distilled
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Region: San Francisco, California
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Size: 700ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat or with a splash of water. It pairs with fruitcake, gingerbread or roast ham.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is it distilled from?
A 2015 Christmas ale.
How was it aged?
Nine years in used Old Potrero rye barrels.
How many bottles?
462.
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