In this episode, Brandon McCraney from Olde Raleigh Distillery shares his journey into whiskey blending, the art and science behind creating unique bourbon profiles, and the innovative projects that keep his craft exciting. Discover how small batch blending, cask finishes, and creative experiments are shaping the future of craft spirits.
Keywords
#Whiskeyblending #bourbon #craftdistillery #smallbatch #caskfinishing #whiskeyinnovation #OldeRaleighDistillery #spiritcreation #whiskeytasting #craftspirits #podcast #bourbonbrassandbeyond
Key topics
Whiskey blending techniques and philosophy
The story behind Old Raleigh Distillery and its products
Innovative cask finishing methods, including Armagnac and coffee
The importance of quality ingredients and palate development
The role of experimentation and learning from mistakes in craft spirits
Market trends and the future of small-batch bourbon
The impact of laws and regulations on distillery operations
Creative projects like limited releases and unique blends
Guest name
Brandon McCraney
Sound bites
"A good whiskey should tell a story"
"Every batch is a little different"
"Mistakes can lead to the best creations"
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Old Raleigh Distillery
04:58 The Art and Science of Blending Bourbon
11:13 Navigating Challenges in the Bourbon Industry
15:36 Innovative Blending Projects and Consumer Engagement
18:17 From Corporate Ladder to Bourbon Dreams
19:13 The Journey of Learning and Blending
20:35 Innovative Blending Techniques and Surprising Results
23:41 Embracing Mistakes: The Coffee Bomb Story
25:51 The Importance of Support and Community
28:40 Crafting Unique Experiences for Bourbon Lovers
31:59 Navigating Shipping Laws and Building a Brand
Resources
Bourbon, Brass & Beyond - https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com
Olde Raleigh Distillery - https://olderaleighdistillery.com
CF Napa (Bottle and Label Design) - https://cfnapa.com
guest links
Instagram - https://instagram.com/brandonmcraney
Website - https://olderaleighdistillery.com