It seems to me that the innovative team at Scrapegrace, never cease doing things that are worth talking about. Case in point they are poised to release a set of limited edition NZ single malts.
Let’s be clear, undertaking a project to make great whisky, isn’t something you do in a day, a week or even a year, it’s a decades long process and Scapegrace took the first steps six years ago when they started reserving or “putting down” whiskys in anticipation of this grand reveal.
Beyond excited for these new releases.
This from the team at Scapegrace:
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 45th 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, which has been aged for 5 years 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, also aged in Virgin French Oak barrels, for three years. Chorus II has notes of citrus blossom, poached pears and elegant all-spice.
● Revenant III is made with manuka smoked laureate grains and has been aged in barrel for three years. On the nose, expect aromas of warm, smoky embers, followed by a mocha and bitter chocolate finish on the palate.
● Finally, Timbre IV, aged for 3 years in Bulgarian oak, has notes of baked apples, stewed plums and vanilla sponge.
The Single Malt whisky will be available in store and online at a selection of retailers nationwide and on scapegracedistillery.com for $119.99 - $129.00 (NZD).