Olde Raleigh Distillery
 Storefront of the distillery in 2025 | |
| Type | Microdistillery |
|---|---|
| Location | Zebulon, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°49′20.5″N 78°18′49″W / 35.822361°N 78.31361°W |
| Opened | January 2021 |
| Owned by | Brandon McCraney |
| Distribution | North Carolina, about 40 other states |
| Website | olderaleighdistillery |
Olde Raleigh Distillery is a microdistillery located in Zebulon, North Carolina. Since it's delayed opening in January 2021 due to issues stemming from North Carolina's status as an Alcoholic beverage control state, the distillery and its owner Brandon McCraney have worked with the Zebulon Chamber of Commerce to make an easier process for business' to move into the town.
Specializing in blending different recipes of small batch whiskey from across the United States, the distillery distributes across North Carolina and to around forty other states. The distillery also hosts food trucks, live music, and Whiskey Society which teaches the craft in blending whiskey. In the 2023 International Whisky Competition, the distillery won first for best microdistillery whiskey in the United States.
Overview
[edit]Olde Raleigh Distillery is a microdistillery, specializing in blending different recipes of small batch whiskey together from across the United States.[1][2][3] Once the whiskey is gathered, it is stored and aged in barrels at the back of the distillery.[1][4] It operates with a batch release schedule of every two months, with limited releases in between.[1] Finished batches are used at the distillery or shipped across North Carolina and to around forty other states.[4] Honey used in the distillery's honey cask finished bourbon is sourced from Baxter's Bees, also based in Zebulon.[1]
The distillery also serves a variety of beverages in addition to whiskey and bourbon, including craft beers, craft cocktails, liquor, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks like lemonade.[1][4] The distillery also hosts food trucks outside the business, as well as live music and music bingo[1] on everyday but Monday.[4] The interior features an industrial design, with reclaimed wood from the previous business' rafters used for key elements like the bar top.[1][4] The 10,400 sq ft (970 m2) building also includes an event space available for private parties on the side.[2]
The flagship brand of the distillery is the "Olde Raleigh Whiskey Society",[1][2] a membership program that offers rare whiskey bottle access each month, first access to bourbon at private events, and educational experiences in the art of whiskey blending.[1][5] Members can also participate in blending events and sample from the barrel at the start of a blend.[1] The society had a membership of 200 in March 2024.[5]
History
[edit]The distillery was founded by Brandon McCraney, a former board chair of the Chamber of Commerce in Zebulon, North Carolina.[6] McCraney had been interested in the nuances of whiskey aging and maturing for over a decade prior to founding the distillery.[4] Originally, McCraney tried to open the distillery in Raleigh, North Carolina, but was unable to secure a location in the heart of the community, which was important to him.[4] The distillery eventually opened in January 2021,[4] though its launch was hindered due to North Carolina's status as an Alcoholic beverage control state.[6] Support from the Chamber of Commerce, however, helped facilitate the opening.[6]
In gratitude of the chamber's assistance, McCraney became an advocate for the expansion a variety of other businesses into downtown Zebulon, offering his distillery as a meeting place for discussions on further growth.[7][8] MacLellan Bagpipes, a bagpipe-making business, moved into the vacant storefront adjacent to Olde Raleigh after its owner performed a well received piece at the distillery, alongside having a desire to relocate to somewhere in the Raleigh area.[9] Alongside becoming a sponsor of the minor league baseball team in Zebulon, the Carolina Mudcats,[10] the distillery gained attention after it was featured in the 21st season of the PBS travel series "NC Weekend" in 2023.[11] The increased attention the distillery received helped attract customers from out of state, and boost sales of its event space in 2023.[7]
Awards
[edit]In the International Whisky Competition in 2023, the distillery won first in "Best Micro Distillery Whiskey" in the US, second and third in "Best North Carolina Whiskey" with its straight and blended bourbon, and third in "Best Barrel Finish/Special Cask Whiskey" with its straight bourbon.[12][13] In 2024, the distillery won first place in "Best North Carolina Whiskey" with its straight bourbon.[14] British magazine The Spirits Business had the distillery's blended bourbon whiskey bottle place in the top 10 of their 2021 Design & Packaging Masters.[3][15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hanrahan, Kathy (August 12, 2021). "Out And About TV: Olde Raleigh Distillery". WRAL. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c Lion, Lilly (November 12, 2020). "Whiskey Centric Olde Raleigh Distillery Coming Soon To North Carolina". The Whiskey Wash. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Malczewski, Kate (December 16, 2021). "Top 10 award-winning spirits bottle designs". The Spirits Business. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Sullivan, Rick. "Olde Raleigh Distillery". PBS. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ a b Davis, Ellie (March 28, 2024). "Olde Raleigh Distillery Expanding Whiskey Club". Raleigh Magazine. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c Trump, John (March 27, 2023). "Zebulon Chamber celebrates 75th anniversary with luncheon, awards banquet". The Wilson Times. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- ^ a b Perchick, Michael (July 5, 2023). "Zebulon works to enhance business community as population increases: Boomtown". WTVD. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ "Zebulon, NC: Public Downtown Visioning Session is Aug. 18". The Grey Area News. August 16, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ Shaffer, Josh (January 23, 2023). "How this world-class bagpipe maker came to set up shop in a highly unlikely spot". The News & Observer. Zebulon, North Carolina. Archived from the original on December 21, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ Remhof, Allie (March 21, 2024). "Stock your bar with spirits from Triangle distilleries". RALtoday. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ "PBS North Carolina Announces the 21st Season of its Beloved Travel Series 'NC Weekend'". PBS. September 22, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
Come along as we sample wineries, distilleries and breweries across the state, including [...] Olde Raleigh Distillery
- ^ Miller, Kirk (July 14, 2023). "This Is the Best Rye in America, According to the Olympics of Whisky Competitions. What Makes It So Good?". InsideHook. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ "2023 International Whisky Competition Official Results". International Whisky Competition. 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ "2024 International Whisky Competition Official Results". International Whisky Competition. 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
Best North Carolina Whiskey: 1st Place: Olde Raleigh - Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in a Honey Barrel - 89.86 Pts
- ^ Kiely, Melita (December 3, 2021). "The Design & Packaging Masters 2021 results". The Spirits Business. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Zebulon Mayor's Show - Olde Raleigh Distillery (17 minute interview with the mayor of Zebulon)