My Unexpected Muse: How Spanish Orange Wine Changed My Blending Game

As a whiskey blender, I’m always on the hunt for inspiration. I chase flavors, I experiment with textures, and I’m constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a glass. But sometimes, the most exciting discoveries come from the most unexpected places. Last March (2024), I found my muse in a most unlikely source: Spanish orange wine.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Wine? With whiskey? Trust me, I was skeptical too. But I’ve always believed that the best blends come from understanding the interplay of seemingly disparate elements. And orange wine, with its unique character and ancient roots, presented a fascinating puzzle I couldn’t resist.

For those unfamiliar, orange wine isn’t made from oranges. It’s crafted from white wine grapes, but the magic happens during fermentation. Unlike typical white wine production, the grape skins are left in contact with the juice for an extended period – weeks, even months. This “skin-contact” process imbues the wine with a richer color, often amber or orange, and a complexity that’s miles away from your average Pinot Grigio.

The journey into the world of Spanish orange wine started with a bottle purchased at our local Total Wine store. The store selection was slim as, it appears, there aren’t many producers. From first sip, aroma alone was captivating – dried apricot, a hint of quince, and a subtle earthiness that reminded me of some of my favorite whiskeys. The texture was equally intriguing – fuller and more tannic than I expected, with a pleasant bitterness that lingered on the palate.

At the time, I’d been working on a new blend, struggling to find the right balance of sweet and spice. I poured myself a glass of that orange wine, and as I sipped it alongside a dram of my experimental bourbon, something clicked. The wine’s subtle bitterness and dried fruit notes were very complimentary to the bourbon’s sweetness and spice. What are the possibilities of wine cask finished whiskey?

This unexpected pairing opened a whole new world of wine cask possibilities for blending at Olde Raleigh. The orange wine’s influence wasn’t about simply adding flavor. It was about enhancing the existing characteristics of the bourbon, creating a more nuanced and complex profile. It was about texture, balance, and the beautiful tension between sweetness and bitterness.

Since that moment, I’ve been planning steps towards incorporating orange wine casks into Olde Raleigh’s blending process. I’m experimenting with different combinations of whiskeys, exploring how their individual notes interact with the characteristics I admire in orange wines. I even imported an orange wine cask from Spain. And speaking of that…

I’m incredibly excited to announce that Olde Raleigh Distillery is in the process of releasing a member-exclusive bottling of a Barrel Proof Bourbon finished in Orange Wine Casks this very weekend! This project has been a passion of mine, and it’s a direct result of the inspiration I’ve drawn from my exploration of Spanish orange wines. This special release captures the beautiful synergy between the robust character of our bourbon and the unique complexities imparted by the orange wine cask finish. It’s a testament to the innovative spirit of Olde Raleigh and a glimpse into the exciting things to come. The experience has taught me a valuable lesson: inspiration can come from anywhere. 

Sometimes, the most exciting discoveries are found outside of our comfort zones. And in the case of Spanish orange wine, I’ve found a muse that’s not only expanded my understanding of flavor but has also a layer of complexity to the way I approach blending. It’s a reminder that the world of whiskey is full of surprises, and that the pursuit of the perfect blend is a never-ending journey of exploration. And sometimes, it leads to something truly special, like this weekend’s release.