New Zealand’s Scapegrace Distilling Co. has continued its impressive start to 2025, winning another major international accolade.

Scapegrace’s Anthem Single Malt Whisky has been awarded a gold medal at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) overnight, scoring an outstanding 95 out of 100. The distillery’s Vanguard Single Malt Whisky and Gold Gin also received silver medals at the event.

It caps off a busy few months for the brand which has experienced a phenomenal awards season. Scapegrace’s Vanguard Whisky won gold at the World Whisky Awards in February, followed by another gold medal, this time for flavoured whisky ThunderDonk at the World Drinks Awards in April.

“This has been a great few months for Scapegrace, with recognition coming in from some of the biggest competitions in the world,” said Scapegrace Co-Founder Mark Neal.

“To now be acknowledged by the IWSC is an incredible moment for the team and we’re incredibly proud to see our New Zealand whisky earning its place on the world stage.”

Neal says Anthem is distilled at Scapegrace’s state of the art distillery in Central Otago, with the whisky showcasing the best of New Zealand.

“We’re incredibly proud of Anthem. It’s distilled from locally grown barley, including our distinctive manuka-smoked grain, which imparts a subtle sweetness and gentle smoke. Like all our spirits, it’s cut with glacial water from the Mt Aspiring lakes and matured in the extreme climate of Central Otago, with the conditions bringing real depth and character to the final whisky.”

“It’s a beautifully smoky whisky with subtle tasting notes of spiced walnuts and cider apple. We only launched Anthem in New Zealand last month and we’re encouraging whisky lovers to grab a bottle and enjoy.”

The latest accolades add to Scapegrace’s growing international reputation. In 2024, Ephemeral Whisky won Gold in the New Zealand Single Cask category at the World Whisky Awards, and in 2023, the brand received a Master Medal for its Single Malt Fortitude V Whisky at the Global Spirits Masters’ World Whisky Masters competition.

About Anthem

Cask Type: Virgin French Oak

Malt: New Zealand Smoked Manuka

Liquid: Natural Colour and Non-Chill Filtered

Tasting Notes: Spiced Walnuts, Cider Apple & Sweet Hay

About Scapegrace Distilling Co.

Scapegrace Distilling Co is New Zealand’s largest independent spirits company, founded in 2014 by brothers in law Daniel McLaughlin and Mark Neal, alongside Richard Bourke.

The Scapegrace brand is in more than 40 markets around the world where it’s known for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative flavours which boast a taste of New Zealand's adventurous spirit.

Scapegrace’s portfolio spans Super-Premium gin, single malt whisky, vodka, and a range of premium RTDs under the Scapegrace brand. We have also recently launched ThunderDonk, a New Zealand flavoured whisky brand that is performing exceptionally well at launch, alongside Rogue Society, our premium gin and vodka brand.

Scapegrace Gin was named World’s Best London Dry Gin at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition in London, 2018. Scapegrace Anthem Single Malt earned a Gold Medal at the same competition, while ThunderDonk took home Gold for its Spiced Maple and Silver for Salted Caramel at the World Drinks Awards.

In 2024 Scapegrace opened New Zealand’s largest ever distillery. The new spiritual home for the brand is on the banks of the beautiful Lake Dunstan in Central Otago and will ensure the business keeps up with global demands across its luxury portfolio of Single Malt Whisky, Gin, Vodka and premium RTDs.