209 N Arendell Ave, Zebulon, NC 27597

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OUR STORY

The Dedication of a Blender's Dream

In January 2017, Olde Raleigh Distillery was established in Zebulon, N.C. Though at the time, the hope was to open within three to four months, Master Blender Brandon McCraney officially opened the doors four years later, in January 2021. Doing so required McCraney to overcome county change orders, a 401k liquidation and 12 lender rejections. 

 

McCraney credits his perseverance to his military background. This, along with strong local support, helped Olde Raleigh succeed in building a business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within its first operating year, Olde Raleigh Distillery grew from a bar and tasting room, having not yet produced a batch, to a true gathering space, eventually holding celebrations for the five batches it rolled out later that year. Olde Raleigh Distillery is proud to be a part of the charge to revitalize Zebulon, NC.

 

 

About Olde Raleigh Distillery

Olde Raleigh Distillery is on a mission to simply make unforgettable and damn good whiskey. With a laser focus on the art of blending and distilling spirits, our attention to detail is noticeable in every drop of our small batch bourbon blends.

 

Find us located in downtown Zebulon, NC, in an abandoned 10,000-square-foot brick building that we hand crafted with the same passion we do our whiskey. Our venue is a family-owned and operated distillery, tasting room and popular event space in The Triangle. We want to share our passion with you. Visit us today to taste our unique blend or book a tour to explore the art of making whiskey.

olde raleigh nc event
brandon mccraney headshot black and white in distillery production room

Meet the Man Behind the Bourbon

Our Distiller & Master Blender

Brandon McCraney has spent years immersing himself in the spirits industry to dissect the world of whiskey. As Blender, he hand-selects and ages each barrel using a vigorous process known as élevage to identify the perfect point in the time to harvest our distinct and flavorful small batch spirits. When not working on production or sampling barrels, he leads Olde Raleigh’s workshops and Whiskey Master Classes. In the pursuit in mastering the art of blending whiskey, follow Olde Raleigh’s journey as we release blended whiskies from around the world. 
 
Brandon’s role extends beyond the distillery’s walls, fostering partnerships with local farmers and introducing heirloom grains in the heart of Old Tobacco country. As a Raleigh resident, he aims to build a meaningful brand that gives back to the community he loves. The goal is to showcase the positive environmental and economic impacts distilleries contribute from farm to glass.

This desire to have a broad impact stemmed from his experience as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he proudly served for four years. Brandon’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and Master’s Degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Harvard University. He is a certified Executive Bourbon Steward, Whiskey Sommelier, teaches at the Whiskey Marketing School and has industry affiliations with Moonshine University, the American Distilling Institute and the U.K.’s Institute of Brewing and Distilling.
 
As the sole owner and operator, Brandon has his sights set on making his family name one to be reckoned with in the craft whiskey world.

Our Passion and Our Bourbon

Olde Raleigh Distillery is on a mission to make world-class bourbon through our passion and our process.