Vanguard is the unsmoked single malt in Scapegrace's core whisky pair, sitting beside the mānuka smoked Anthem. It is made from New Zealand Laureate malt and matured in virgin French oak, with no smoke to get in the way, so the grain and the wood do the talking.
Nothing is added for colour and it skips chill filtration. Scapegrace's co-founder has described the pair as highland malt style whiskies, and Vanguard fits that, with a soft, rounded sweetness rather than a heavy hit of smoke. The notes are poached pears, vanilla custard and Anzac biscuits, with a little gentle spice at the end. It earned a silver medal at the 2024 World Whisky Masters, held in London.
Pour it neat in a tulip glass, or over a single large cube if you want it a little colder. The pear and custard notes suit a baked apple or pear dessert, or a plate with a mild washed rind cheese and some toasted walnuts. It is easy to drink as it comes, and a few drops of water are there if you want to take the edge off.