Scapegrace Distilling Co. is searching for New Zealand's best whisky cocktail, with bartenders across the country invited to submit their creation.

The national cocktail competition is challenging bartenders to create an original single malt whisky cocktail built around either Scapegrace Vanguard or Scapegrace Anthem.

Bartenders are invited to draw their inspiration from wherever they find it – the flavour profile of the whisky, Scapegrace's Central Otago home, the brand's ethos, or their own interpretation of what the spirit represents. What matters is that the final drink is whisky-led, purposeful, and tells a clear story.

The competition arrives as New Zealand single malt whisky continues to make its mark on the world stage. Bloomberg described New Zealand's whisky scene as a modern renaissance poised to break big on the global stage, with Central Otago producers at the centre of that momentum.

Scapegrace is helping to lead the charge, its Anthem and Vanguard expressions have collected gold medals at the World Whiskies Awards and the IWSC.

"This competition is an open invitation to New Zealand's bartenders to engage with these whiskies properly, understand them, find their own angle, and build something exceptional around them," said Tim Giles, Scapegrace Sales and Marketing Manager.

"Whisky is extremely popular right now and we want to find and celebrate the best whisky cocktail in New Zealand."

Entries close 30 April. From there, Scapegrace judges will select the top 15 bartenders from around the country and visit each of them in their own venue during June and July to taste and score their creation.

The top three from that round win an all-expenses-paid trip to Queenstown, where they'll compete in the national final in October 2026 against three finalists from the Central Otago regional competition. The winner takes home $1,000 and the national title.

Scoring is weighted toward taste and balance, with points also awarded for storytelling, brand knowledge, presentation, technique, uniqueness, and sustainability.

The 2024 national champion, Cal Ross of Panacea in Auckland, took the title with a drink called the Taniwha – a Scapegrace Black cocktail featuring a local Syrah and a signature Bushfire Shrub, drawn from the character of the Fiordland region.

Cocktails must be built on either Scapegrace Vanguard or Anthem Single Malt Whisky (minimum 30ml), contain no more than five ingredients, and must be the competitor's original work. Up to two homemade ingredients are permitted. Entries are open to bartenders currently working in a New Zealand hospitality venue.

Bartenders wanting to try the whiskies before entering can email tim@scapegracedistillery.com to arrange samples at their venue.

Full details and entry form are available at scapegracedistillery.com.

ENDS

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.

Today, the Scapegrace brand is available in 43 markets worldwide, renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative spirit that captures the adventurous essence of New Zealand. In addition to its award-winning Scapegrace portfolio, the company also produces distinctive brands under Rogue Society Liquor, including premium gin and vodka, as well as ThunderDonk - a bold, flavoured whisky.

Scapegrace Gin was awarded World's Best London Dry Gin at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition in London, 2018. Its unique bottle design also turned heads, earning Best Looking Gin Bottle at the San Francisco Spirits Competition.