Scapegrace Distilling Co.’s Vanguard expression has been named the Best New Zealand Single Malt at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. The accolade for the Central Otago-based producer was announced by the prestigious international competition, which recognizes excellence in whisky globally.
The award places the New Zealand distillery’s single malt alongside leading global brands. Scapegrace Co-Founder Daniel McLaughlin said the team is extremely proud of the recognition.
“This win is a real milestone moment for us both locally and internationally,” said McLaughlin. “It’s a testament to our team’s hard work and it’s fantastic to see the world taking notice.”
Founded in 2014, Scapegrace Distilling Co. initially gained international fame for its gin portfolio before moving into whisky production. The company opened a new $25 million NZD ($15.3m USD) distillery in Central Otago in 2023, significantly scaling up its whisky-making capacity and ambition.
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McLaughlin noted that Vanguard is the result of years of meticulous development, designed to reflect its local terroir.
“Vanguard really does showcase the best of New Zealand,” he explained. “It’s distilled with glacial waters from the Southern Alps and crafted using locally grown barley, before ageing in the unique Central Otago climate.”
He added: “The end result is a highland malt-esk whisky which is rich, elegant and subtle. It’s a great whisky and we’re thrilled it’s making waves internationally.”
According to the World Whiskies Awards judges, the single malt has “plenty of cereal and honey on the nose, with apple and pear. Grassy on the palate but with honeylike sweetness and some vanilla and golden syrup.”
This latest win builds on the company’s growing list of honors. In 2024, another expression, Scapegrace Anthem, secured a Gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition and another Gold at The Global World Whisky Masters.
