Scapegrace Fortitude V Single Malt Whisky

This Limited Release, award-winning single malt from Scapegrace Distillery was matured in virgin French oak casks for three years. On the nose, oak char, earthy vanilla, manuka honey, cranberry, smoked almonds, and liquorice. On the palate, honeyed pears, allspice, toasted oak, marzipan, and dried fruit. Rich and well-spiced finish.

• Distillery: Scapegrace Distillery
• Type: Single Malt Whisky
  
• Region: Central Otago, New Zealand
  
• Alcohol: 46%
  
• Volume: 700ml
  
• Goes with: Neat or over ice
  

Introducing Scapegrace Fortitude V, the newest addition to Scapegrace's esteemed Single-Malt Whisky collection. This unique dram is made with Manuka-smoked Laureate barley and aged for three years in 100-litre virgin French oak casks. Its recent accolade of the Master Medal at the 2023 Global Whisky Masters speaks volumes, cementing Scapegrace as a top-tier distillery in the realm of dark spirits. This prestigious recognition showcases Scapegrace's excellence, extending beyond their renowned gins to the realm of fine whiskies.

New Zealand's Scapegrace Distillery, founded in 2014, has always been committed to producing whiskies. Located in the mountainous landscape of Lake Dunstan, it is crossed directly by the 45th parallel (halfway between the equator and the South Pole), providing it with extreme hot and cold temperatures throughout the year, the perfect environment for aging whisky.

In the vast expanse between stimulus and response lies a realm ripe for exploration, where dreams flourish and innovation thrives. It was within this realm that two friends conceived an audacious idea: to craft unconventional spirits from an unconventional land using unorthodox methods. Thus began the narrative of Scapegrace, a tale with an uncertain conclusion but an unmistakable title.

In the realm of New Zealand's spirited connoisseurs, Scapegrace has swiftly become a household name, adorned with accolades from around the globe. Renowned for their London Dry Gin, crowned the best by London’s IWSC, and hailed as creators of the world’s inaugural naturally black gin, Scapegrace has etched its mark in the annals of spirits.

Now, venturing into the realm of single malt whisky, Scapegrace has erected a new distillery along the serene shores of Central Otago’s Lake Dunstan. Here, amidst the breathtaking landscape traversed by the pristine waters of Mata-Au, they seek to unveil the essence of New Zealand’s rugged terrain. Central Otago's harsh climate, with its scorching summers and chilling winters, imparts a unique character to their whiskies, shaping the aging process and influencing the spirit's interaction with the wood.

While the debut release proudly bears the Scapegrace insignia, it pays homage to the region's heritage, bearing the imprint of local distillers Doug Lawry and his son Anthony. This inaugural batch comprises four limited edition bottlings, each showcasing the dominance of wood in varying age statements. Unfiltered and aged in virgin French oak, with one exception aged in Bulgarian oak, these whiskies beckon to be savoured, each sip a testament to the craft and dedication of its creators.

Thus unfolds a narrative worth following, as Scapegrace sets its sights on yet another venture, applying their globally acclaimed standards to this latest pursuit.

• Master - 2023 Global World Whisky Masters Competition