Scapegrace Distilling Co., based in New Zealand, has unveiled a brand new state-of-the-art distillery at Lake Dunstan, Central Otago. The distillery, which has a large distilling capacity for single malt whisky as well as gin and vodka, is set to bolster New Zealand’s global reputation as a producer of quality spirits.
The $30 million project has taken eight years to complete and represents a significant upscale in spirits production which will benefit both the local economy and export figures.
The New Scapegrace Distillery Equipment & Capacity
The new 3,000 square-meter distillery, located on the shores of Lake Dunstan, comprises a head office, bottling facility, warehousing, barrel hall, and a distillery able to produce single malt whisky as well as white spirits. Forecasts suggest that the facility will produce 160,000 cases of single malt whisky per year.
Whisky production facilities include a purpose-designed and built 5,000-liter wash still and 3,500-liter spirits still, both from Speyside Copperworks in Scotland. Inspired by traditional scotch whisky making techniques, whisky makers at Scapegrace Distillery will employ a grain-to-glass approach.
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An additional 3,500-liter John Dore Copper Pot Still from London will take care of white spirits production. The still was originally built in 1959 and restored for use at Scapegrace.
Designed by Cheshire Architects’ Nat Cheshire, Ascinda Stark, and Emily Doll, the distillery strikes a balance between urban, industrial design and its rural location.
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability was at the forefront of the distillery’s design and construction, according to Co-founder Daniel McLaughlin. As part of biodiversity efforts, 7,000 native bushes have been planted on site and will contribute to carbon offset efforts.
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Additionally, Scapegrace Distillery will be one of the very few distilleries in the world that uses hydroelectricity to power the boiler instead of diesel. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the distillery.
Economic Impact
The opening of Scapegrace Distillery will do wonders for the local economy, creating jobs for local residents. The company has hinted that hospitality offerings will follow, further revitalizing the community. Scapegrace is also expected to attract tourists, with tours set to start in late 2025.
On a larger scale, the distillery is expected to generate $33 million (NZD) in annual wholesale value once the single malt whisky production is running at full capacity.
“Our aim is to elevate New Zealand’s global profile as a producer of world-class spirits,” says McLaughlin. “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 Future of Scapegrace Distillery
In 2024, Scapegrace celebrated a decade in business, with the opening of the distillery serving as the perfect representation of how far the company has come. Reflecting on the business, and what is to come, Daniel McLaughlin said:
“We began our journey in a small Grey Lynn office in Auckland 2014, and it’s been an incredible adventure since, where this new facility is an end product of our commitment towards the future.
“Over the years, we’ve achieved global recognition, winning major international awards and last year we hit a major milestone as we sold more than 100,000 cases of product. We’re New Zealand’s largest spirits producer and we’re proud to be putting New Zealand spirits on the global map.
“The Scapegrace journey is only just beginning. We’re looking forward to creating a truly remarkable hospitality destination in years to come, so everyone can experience the brand and products on this stunning site.”
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