Scapegrace gin

Drinks distributor Hi-Spirits is expanding its gin portfolio with the addition of premium New Zealand brand Scapegrace Gin.

Made by Auckland’s Rogue Society Distilling Co, Scapegrace bills itself as the gin ‘from the bottom of the world’. It is distilled using spring water sourced from NZ’s Southern Alps and 12 botanicals from around the world.

The 42.2% abv spirit is batch-distilled using a restored 19th century copper whisky still, with each batch individually numbered (rsp: £39.99/70cl).

With UK gin sales enjoying a value hike of £47m and volumes up 16.2% (Kantar Worldpanel 52 w/e 19 June 2016], Scapegrace is a “great addition” to the Hi-Spirits offering, said MD Dan Bolton.

“Consumers increasingly enjoy a range of gins in their drinking repertoire,” he added. “Along with offering on-trade and off-trade retailers classic and modern gins, both British and global, we’re helping customers to plan their ranges and segment the gin category to meet consumer expectations.”

Marketing support for Scapegrace’s UK launch will include a brand ambassador and a branded camper van, which will be offered as both a shopper prize for festival trips, as well as doubling as a pop-up bar and being used for trade incentives.