(Aotearoa, NZ): New Zealand’s largest independent spirits brand, Scapegrace, has announced the release of its highly-anticipated first whisky, a limited-edition range of Single Malts. The announcement comes off the back of the company’s latest NZ $25m distillery project, revealed in Central Otago earlier this year. 

Crafted on the edge of the earth in Central Otago, New Zealand, Scapegrace whisky sees the sunrise before the rest of the world. New world whisky from the future. Whisky beyond its time. 

The Central Otago distillery situated within the mountainous landscape of Lake Dunstan, will in time produce the entirety of its current portfolio of super premium gin and vodka, and provides Scapegrace with the perfect climate and water quality for producing whisky. The 45^th parallel (halfway point between equator and south pole) runs directly through Scapegrace’s distillery site, giving hot and cold temperature extremes during the year – an optimum environment for aging whisky. 

Scapegrace Co-founder and Managing Director Daniel McLaughlin says, “We have been quietly putting down whisky over the past six years and the team are now finally ready to unveil Scapegrace’s Single Malt.

As Scapegrace edges closer to revealing its core expression in 2024, the brand will release a small number of rare, interesting Limited Release Single Malt products. Each expression will be released in chronical order and together form a collectible series of individually numbered bottles, never to be repeated. The narrative of each limited release tells the Scapegrace story both poetically and visually.

Co-founder and Marketing Director of Scapegrace, Mark Neal adds, “The Single Malt journey has been part of the brand’s strategic direction since early creation, with a real focus on pioneering the movement of New Zealand Single Malt Whisky on the global stage. With a great ambition to showcase New Zealand Single Malt to the world, we are thrilled to release our first allocation of Scapegrace Limited Release Single Malt.”

McLaughlin says, “Back in 2014 when we launched Scapegrace, we always knew Single Malt would be a core part of our strategic direction. We have the facilities and natural resources to create some of the best whisky in the world and we are so excited to finally be delivering on our promise.” 

Scapegrace has created four limited releases in the first drop:

Rise I, aged in Virgin French Oak barrels and has tasting notes of cinnamon, hints of rich creamy vanilla and buttered toast.

The second expression is Chorus II, is also aged in Virgin French Oak and has notes of citrus blossom, poached pears and elegant all-spice.  

Revenant III is made with manuka smoked laureate grains. On the nose, expect aromas of warm, smoky embers, followed by a mocha and bitter chocolate finish on the palate. 

Finally, Timbre IV, is aged in Bulgarian oak and has notes of baked apples, stewed plums and vanilla sponge.

For the global launch of Scapegrace single malts, a series of billboards were aired around the world as a message from the future. These images were captured and timestamped on the edge of the earth in Central Otago, where Scapegrace whisky is crafted. Solidifying the fact this is whisky beyond its time.

The Single Malt whisky will be available in store and online at a selection of specialist independent retailers from £50 upwards.