Scapegrace Anthem

Scapegrace Anthem is one of the first permanent releases in Scapegrace’s core single malt range, produced in New Zealand and bottled at 46% ABV. It is presented without colouring and without chill filtration, keeping the texture and natural intensity intact.

The smoke character here is not the typical coastal peat style you might associate with Scotland. Anthem uses barley dried over the smoke of native mānuka wood, which creates a more complex, forest floor style smoke with a sharper, resinous edge. That mānuka smoke is often described in terms like eucalyptus, menthol and earthy woodland notes, giving a different aromatic direction compared to medicinal iodine or sea spray.

Maturation in virgin French oak is doing serious work in the structure. Fresh oak has a higher load of extractives available early, so you get a quicker build of spice, tannin grip and wood driven sweetness than you would from refill casks. The result is a whisky that can show pronounced oak framing alongside the smoke, bringing spiced walnut character, orchard fruit notes and a medium long, spicy finish rather than a soft fade.