Scapegrace Distilling Co has unveiled its brand-new state-of-the-art distillery.
The NZD $30-million distillery project has been eight years in the making and will allow the brand to dramatically upscale production as it expands its distinctly New Zealand spirits worldwide.
The 3,000-square-metre distillery includes a head office, bottling facility, warehousing, barrel hall, and newly completed distillery, which includes Single Malt production and a white spirits portfolio of Gin and Vodka.
The new facilities will allow Scapegrace to produce 160,000 cases of single malt whisky annually and enough gin and vodka to meet its long-term forecasts.
“Throughout our distillery design, there has been no corner cut and no stone unturned to ensure that we are following authentic and traditional methods while also showcasing the very best of our distinct Scapegrace portfolio,” said co-founder Daniel McLaughlin.
“We began our journey in a small Grey Lynn office in Auckland in 2014, and it’s been an incredible adventure since, where this new facility is an end product of our commitment towards the future.”
Scapegrace celebrated a decade of being in business in 2024, and McLaughlin said that opening the distillery is the perfect way to celebrate ten years of achievements.
“Over the years, we’ve achieved global recognition, winning major international awards, and last year, we hit a major milestone, selling more than 100,000 cases of product.”
Whisky production facilities at the new distillery include a purposely designed 5000L wash still and a 3500L spirits still from Speyside Copperworks, Scotland. Production will follow the traditional grain-to-glass method.
The white spirits still is a 3500L John Dore Copper Pot Still from London, built in 1959. The team has fully restored it to its original state.
McLaughlin added that sustainability has been at the forefront of the distillery’s construction. Over 7,000 native bushes have been planted on-site as part of biodiversity and carbon offset efforts, and the distillery will be one of the few in the world to use hydroelectricity to power its boiler instead of diesel, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
He also highlighted the distillery’s focus on whisky, with their single malt whisky alone projected to generate an annual wholesale value of $33 million when running at total capacity.
“Our aim is to elevate New Zealand’s global profile as a producer of world-class spirits. Over the past 40 years, we’ve seen New Zealand’s wine industry experience huge growth, and that’s what we’re working to create for our spirits industry.”
The distillery is also set to boost the local economy, creating new jobs. A hospitality offering will follow next. It is located on the banks of Lake Dunstan in Central Otago on a 36-hectare property that overlooks both Lake Dunstan and Mt Pisa, boasting impressive views of the distinctly rugged terrain.
The Scapegrace Distillery was designed by Nat Cheshire, Ascinda Stark, and Emily Doll, world-renowned Cheshire Architects, who are known for leading the design of some of New Zealand’s most influential and impressive spaces.
Scapegrace plans to open the distillery for public tours in late 2025.
