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Everything you need to know about Scapegrace Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Scapegrace Single Malt Whisky Fortuna Release VI£62.99 Inc VAT -
Scapegrace Single Malt Whisky Chorus Limited Release II£69.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Scapegrace, New Zealand. Founded in 2014.
Scapegrace is a newer name in whisky, coming out of New Zealand, and it’s part of a growing scene that’s starting to get more attention. The brand originally made its name with gin, but it has since moved into whisky production with a focus on creating something that reflects its local environment.
The distillery is based in Central Otago, a region known for its clean air, mountain water, and big temperature shifts. Those conditions matter more than you might think. The climate plays a role in how whisky matures, helping it develop flavour more quickly than in cooler regions.
Scapegrace takes a modern approach. It combines traditional copper pot stills with local ingredients and a clear focus on building its own identity rather than copying Scotch or bourbon directly. It’s still early days compared to older distilleries, but the direction is clear.
Flavour Profile:
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 |
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| Sweet |
Fruity |
Spicy |
Scapegrace whiskies tend to feel bright and fresh. You’ll often notice citrus and lighter fruit notes up front, followed by honey sweetness and a gentle vanilla character.
There’s also a subtle spice running through the finish, which gives the whisky a bit of structure. The overall style leans towards clean and modern rather than heavy or heavily oaked.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Oak / Wood Spice |
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Citrus (Lemon / Orange Zest) |
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Vanilla |
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Honey |
Most Popular Bottles
Scapegrace Single Malt Whisky (Core Releases)
The main whisky range, focusing on New Zealand single malt.
Scapegrace Experimental Releases
Limited editions exploring different cask types and maturation styles.
Scapegrace Black (original gin crossover brand recognition)
Although not whisky, this helped build the brand’s reputation.
The whisky range is still developing as the distillery matures more stock.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Scaprgrace Distillery
Address: Central Otago, New Zealand
 Open in maps |
 scapegracedistillery.com |
 Unavailable |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Visitor access may be available, but the distillery is not widely promoted as a large-scale visitor centre. Availability can vary.
Ownership History
Founders
- Scapegrace Spirits team
Current Ownership
- Scapegrace Spirits
The brand remains independently operated.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Scapegrace Distillery is located in Central Otago, New Zealand, and was founded in 2014. The brand initially gained recognition for its premium gin before expanding into whisky production.
The distillery built a purpose-designed whisky facility in a remote alpine setting, with a focus on creating a distinct New Zealand whisky identity rather than replicating Scotch styles.
Scapegrace released its first whisky, Fortitude, marking its transition into the single malt category.
Production
- Spirit Type: New Zealand single malt whisky
- Stills: Copper pot stills
- Water Source: Southern Alps glacial water
- Climate: Cool climate with seasonal variation
- Cask Policy: Mix of ex-bourbon, virgin oak, and experimental casks
The distillery emphasises control over raw materials and maturation to build a regional style.
Whisky Style
Scapegrace whisky typically shows:
- Clean, structured profile
- Malt-forward character
- Vanilla and caramel
- Subtle fruit notes
- Light spice and oak
The style is modern and precise, with an emphasis on clarity rather than heavy peat or extreme cask influence.
Key Expressions
- Scapegrace Fortitude – First core single malt release
- Limited editions and experimental cask releases
The range is still developing as the distillery builds stock.
Significance
Scapegrace is part of the emerging New Zealand whisky movement, contributing to the development of a new whisky-producing region.
Its shift from gin to whisky reflects a broader trend of craft distilleries expanding into whisky as they mature, and it highlights New Zealand’s potential as a distinctive whisky origin.
Scapegrace Whisky to Buy
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