'In a world shaken by uncertainty, volatility dances like a shadow, unpredictable and swift. It swirls around us, a tempest in the calm, uprooting the expected and planting seeds of chaos. In its wake, the Scapegrace thrives—sly and opportunistic...'
Scapegrace is New Zealand's largest distillery, based in between Mt Pisa and Lake Dunstan in Central Otago. Scapegrace started with gin and has expanded into vodka and single malt whisky. Founded by two brothers-in-law, the company is known for its distinctive bottle design and its commitment to using New Zealand ingredients. The spirits are distilled near the base of the Southern Alps, using pure glacial water that has been filtered through layers of sediment rock for 80 years before it is released into the depths of one of the world’s last natural aquifers.
Managing director Daniel McLaughlin said that the climate and water quality in Central Otago – which is famed for its Pinot Noir – make the region ideal for producing spirits.
‘The halfway point between equator and south pole runs directly through our distillery site, giving us extremes in hot and cold temperatures – an optimum environment for aging whisky,’ said McLaughlin.
‘Naturally, the pristine water quality is also ideal for distilling gin and vodka, pulling from glacial run-off from the Southern Alps.’
McLaughlin and brother-in-law Mark Neal founded Scapegrace back in 2014, along with Richard Bourke, after bonding over a shared love of gin. It was initially known as Rogue Society. However, it ran into copyright issues when the brand expanded into Europe in 2017, as there is a brewery with a similar name on the continent, so it was rebranded as Scapegrace.
In 2019, the company hit headlines across the globe after producing the world’s first naturally black gin, which turns purple when mixed with tonic.
The brand’s slogan is: “The reason that Scapegrace tastes clean is because it is.” It is exported to more than 40 countries, including the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, and various parts of Europe and Asia.
