20 | Breen Construction: Scapegrace Distillery Virginia Wright Large distillery one step closer DEVELOPMENT to page 22 GRINDERS NZ concrete grinding & polishing specialists NZ Grinders is a New Zealand wide concrete polishing company dedicated to having the best equipment in the industry and delivering fast, efficient and satisfying results. sales@nzgrinders.co.nz | 0508 NZ GRINDERS | www.nzgrinders.co.nz The new Scapegrace Distillery in Central Otago has completed its first building with the second, which will house the distillery itself, due for completion later next year. It’s not just for its strategic location between Wanaka and Queenstown and stunning views across the lake to the historic Bendigo and Mt. Pisa Range that the Lake Dunstan site was chosen. The property also provides the ideal combination of climate and water quality for distilling the Scapegrace “New World” Single Malt Whiskey, as Managing Director Daniel Mclaughlin explains. “The 45th parallel (half way point between equator and south pole) runs directly through our distillery site, giving us extremes in hot and cold temperatures – an optimum environment for aging whisky.” “The 45th parallel (half way point between equator and south pole) runs directly through our distillery site, giving us extremes in hot and cold temperatures – an optimum environment for aging whisky. “Naturally the pristine water quality is also ideal for distilling gin and vodka, pulling from glacial run-off from the Southern Alps. “And with almost 60% of shareholders based in Otago, as well as our Chairman Peter Kean who was born and bred in the region, it always felt right.” Also part of the local landscape is the family-owned construction firm responsible for building what is set to be New Zealand’s largest distillery, Breen Construction Ltd. Established in 1939, with 200 staff employed across Otago and Southland, Breen Construction’s expertise encompasses all aspects of the building market from multi-million dollar commercial ventures to insurance claims dealing with minor house repairs. While Director and Commercial Manager Peter Breen isn’t usually involved in day-to-day operations, he’s heavily involved in the Scapegrace Distillery Development . “It’s a major project that’s complex in many ways so I’m well across it. For example the ethanol level in whisky poses a potential fire risk and so the protection of the facility was paramount,” says Peter. Ethanol sensors and a complex sprinkler system are part and parcel of what it takes to safely age up to 2000 casks of whiskey per barrel room on the site, with all the requisite Health and Safety measures taken into account.
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