Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Duty Free Global from Ireland, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
NEW ZEALAND. Our images today come from New Zealand’s largest spirits producer as Scapegrace Distillery unveils its new state-of-the-art home, comprising a head office, bottling facility, warehousing, barrel hall and distillery.
The NZ$30 million (US$18 million) project has been eight years in the making and will allow the brand a huge upscale in production as it takes its distinctly New Zealand spirits to the world.
The 3,000sq m structure will provide for an expansion of single malt whisky production and develop the Scapegrace gin and vodka portfolio.
Scapegrace Distilling Co-founder Daniel McLaughlin said: “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.”
Scapegrace celebrated a decade of being in business this year, and McLaughlin said the distillery opening is the perfect way to celebrate ten years of achievements.
“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.”
Whisky production facilities at the new distillery include a 5,000-litre wash still and a 3,500-litre spirits still from Speyside Copperworks, Scotland. The production will follow the full traditional method from grain to glass.
The white spirits still is a 3,500-litre John Dore Copper Pot Still from London which was built in 1959 and has been fully restored by the team.
McLaughlin underlined a commitment to sustainability during the distillery’s construction. More than 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 hydro electricity 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 projected to generate an annual wholesale value of NZ$$33 million when running at full 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,” McLaughlin said.
The distillery is also set to boost the local economy, creating new jobs, with a hospitality offering to follow.
“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,” McLaughlin added.
The distillery is located on the banks of Lake Dunstan in Central Otago on a 36-hectare property which overlooks both Lake Dunstan and Mt Pisa, with impressive views of the rugged terrain.
The distillery is described as “a beautiful balance of urban design meets rural setting, experiential, hospitable and epic in both scale and scope”. It was designed by Nat Cheshire, Ascinda Stark and Emily Doll of Cheshire Architects, 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 from late 2025. ✈️
