Olde Raleigh Distillery, a craft-spirits distillery specializing in small-batch whiskey blends, will begin production and open its tasting room this fall in the heart of Downtown Zebulon, about 24 minutes east of Raleigh. Currently under construction, it will offer a truly unique North Carolina experience that aims to take some of the spotlight away from Kentucky and establish the Triangle region as a new destination for bourbon.
The family-owned distillery’s flagship brand, Olde Raleigh Whiskey Society, will first introduce a signature blended bourbon. Incorporating various blending techniques, it uses three diverse bourbons from across the country made from different grains to create a complex and distinctive flavor profile. The bottle itself was cleverly designed as a glass decanter that, once emptied, serves as a memento that can be repurposed to elegantly store and serve other spirits. Olde Raleigh Distillery is also planning a variety of cask-finished limited-release whiskeys, the Century Club line of vodka and gin, and a house-made heirloom bourbon.
Proprietor, Master Blender and Distiller Brandon McCraney has spent years immersing himself in the spirits industry, traveling the country to visit distilleries, amassing a collection featuring hundreds of different whiskeys and, most recently, leading other bourbon aficionados in master series classes. He has leveraged all of this to build out Olde Raleigh Distillery as both owner and operator.
“This has been a dream for a long time and I’m so proud my kids are seeing their dad grinding every day, pursuing his passion,” said McCraney, who has been documenting the journey on Instagram. “Every aspect of the spirits, bottles and distillery has been thoughtfully designed down to the smallest hidden intricacies. That attention to detail combined with an admiration for and focus on the art and history of blending spirits is really what sets us apart. Everything we do is with purpose to create the best flavors and experiences for our guests.”
The distillery itself is helping revitalize Zebulon’s main street, North Arendell Avenue. It is a combined 10,400-square-foot building that is being completely renovated to include the tasting room and bar, the stills and production area, storage for whiskey barrels, and a large event space. In addition to being available to rent for private parties, McCraney will also host his own events in the space, including hands-on blending workshops, classes ranging from bourbon 101 to masters series, and meal pairings in partnership with regional chefs.