Production places
Connections to water sources, peat places, maltings, cooperages, warehouses and maturation sites. Uncertain connections are labelled.
No documented production places are linked to this distillery yet.
Olde Raleigh Distillery
About the Distillery
Olde Raleigh Distillery is located in downtown Zebulon, North Carolina, and is a family-owned micro-distillery that focuses on hand-picked bourbon casks and blender-driven production. Master Blender Brandon McCraney collects casks from across the USA, works with élevage-inspired maturation methods, and offers tours, tastings, and events in a renovated brick building.
History
The idea for Olde Raleigh Distillery began in January 2017 as a vision to combine global whisky experience with local American bourbon tradition. Brandon McCraney spent the next four years developing the blending concept and laying the foundation for the distillery, and in January 2021 the company officially opened in a 10,000-square-foot brick building in Zebulon. The first years were characterized by build-out, engaged community support, and practical work under difficult conditions, including challenges with construction and finances. The work paid off in 2023 when the distillery was named Best Micro Distillery in the US at the International Whiskey Competition. Since opening, the distillery has established itself as a local gathering point with a tasting room, events, and a membership program called Whiskey Society.
Raw Materials and Production
Olde Raleigh’s production centers on blending and artisanal cask care rather than large-scale distillation of their own mash. The blending begins with hand-picked bourbon and whiskey casks from various American sources; each cask is documented with detailed notes. Maturation is monitored using élevage-inspired techniques, where the Master Blender actively assesses when a component is ready to enter a blend. Small trial blends are made on ounce scale, and finished batches are assembled over 1–3 months to ensure that profile and balance are achieved. During bottling, the proof is lowered from around 118 to 93 by gradual addition of water, and a final filtration is performed to remove particles.
Maturation and Barrel Types
Maturation takes place in an unconditioned warehouse, where annual and seasonal temperature variations cause the wood and the spirit to expand and contract, affecting extraction and development. The distillery works with a variety of American bourbon and whiskey casks and supplements with locally toasted/charred oak cut from a 130-year-old tree in Wake County, which is placed alongside casks to influence the maturation. Toasting and charring as well as carefully chosen combinations of barrel types are an intentional part of their maturation work.
Whiskies
The range centers on small-batch bourbons and a noted Flagship Brand, produced as a 93-proof blended small-batch bourbon composed of nine different bourbon whiskeys and hand-blended in Zebulon. The text highlights spicy notes such as allspice as well as caramel and malt chocolate in the same passage; Nose: described on the page with notes like allspice and caramel tones; Taste: the description mentions 'malt chocolate' as part of the character; Finish: references to ancient oak in the finish.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Cask and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagship Brand | Bourbon | 46.5 % | Various American whiskey and bourbon casks | The distillery's Flagship Brand is described as a 93-proof small-batch bourbon composed of nine different bourbon whiskeys and hand-blended in Zebulon. The text highlights spicy notes such as allspice as well as caramel and malt chocolate in the passage; Nose: described on the page with notes like allspice and caramel tone; Taste: mentions 'malt chocolate' as part of the character; Finish: references to ancient oak in the finish | Active; Core range; Sold via the distillery; brand available in selected Virginia ABC stores according to the producer |
| Small Batch Bourbon | Bourbon | Varied American whiskey and bourbon casks | Overall designation for the distillery's small-batch bourbons, highlighted as hand-picked and hand-blended products, developed through the Master Blender's work with casks and élevage-like maturation. | Active; Core range; Sold via the distillery; brand available in selected Virginia ABC stores according to the producer |
The Whiskies' Style and Flavor Profile
In the distillery's own descriptions, there are recurring notes of spice, sweetness, and dark malt. The texts mention allspice/spice, caramel, and 'malt chocolate' as concrete elements, complemented by references to ancient oak. These directions paint a picture of blends where spice and sweetness meet a rich malt character and wood influence.
Visit the Distillery
The distillery welcomes guests into a tasting room and offers guided tours, tastings, as well as private and public events within The Whiskey Society framework. Tours can be booked via the distillery's services, and visitors can purchase spirits in the distillery's shop. Opening hours are publicly listed, and contact information (phone and email) is available for reservations and inquiries.
The listed opening hours are Sundays 12:00-18:00; Monday closed; Tue-Thu 16:00-21:00; Fri 16:00-22:00; Sat 12:00-22:00.
Philosophy and Craft
Olde Raleigh prioritizes blending as an art form: The Master Blender hand-picks casks, works closely with each component's development, and uses élevage-like techniques to determine the right moment to incorporate a cask component into a blend. The distillery blends respect for family heritage and Scottish blending traditions with American small-batch bourbon and a strong grounding in the local community.
Awards and Recognitions
- Best Micro Distillery in the US (2023, Winner)
Latest News
From Barrel to Ballerina: A Spirited Collaboration – 2025-06-06
A short description of a collaboration between the distillery and an artistic project over the past two weeks, described as a creative and intense period for the house.
Uncorking the Secrets of Ruby Port Production – 2025-04-01
Introductory part of a series on Ruby Port, where the distillery dives into origin and production methods for this type of wine/port.
Understanding Sherry: Styles & Production – 2025-03-04
An overview of sherry types and production methods, presented as informative content for those interested in cask types and influences on maturation.