There are gins that sit politely on your shelf, and then there are gins that demand you explain them to every guest who walks through your door. Scapegrace Black belongs firmly in the second camp. Distilled by the Rogue Society at Scapegrace Distillery, this New Western gin arrives in the glass an inky, almost supernatural shade of black — the result of natural botanical colouring rather than any artificial trickery. It is, without question, one of the most visually striking spirits I have encountered in a decade of tasting.
A Botanical List That Reads Like a Chef's Pantry
What sets Scapegrace Black apart is a botanical bill that feels more like a fine-dining mise en place than a traditional gin recipe. Juniper provides the structural backbone, but it shares the stage with saffron, butterfly pea flower, aronia berry, and sweet potato — ingredients that would feel right at home in a Bangkok market or a Tokyo kissaten. Lemon peel and tangerine peel bring familiar citrus brightness, while pineapple adds a subtle tropical dimension that nods to the New Western ethos of pushing gin beyond its London Dry boundaries.
Style and Character
At 41.6% ABV, this sits at a comfortable sipping strength — enough presence to carry its complex botanical profile without overwhelming the palate. The New Western classification is well earned. Juniper is present but deliberately restrained, allowing those more unusual ingredients room to express themselves. The inclusion of butterfly pea flower is not merely cosmetic; it contributes a delicate earthiness that pairs beautifully with saffron's warm, honeyed character. Aronia berry — sometimes called chokeberry — is a clever addition, lending a tart, antioxidant-rich depth that you rarely encounter in gin.
Sweet potato is perhaps the most intriguing choice. It is an ingredient I grew to love during my years in Japan, where it appears in everything from tempura to shochu. In a gin context, it likely contributes a gentle, rounded sweetness and silky mouthfeel that tempers the sharper citrus and berry notes.
The Verdict
Scapegrace Black is a gin that rewards curiosity. It is not trying to be the best London Dry on the shelf — it is carving its own lane entirely, and doing so with genuine craft and imagination. At around £40, it sits at a fair price point for a gin of this complexity and novelty. My only reservation is that the visual spectacle can overshadow the liquid itself. This is a serious gin that deserves to be judged on flavour, not just Instagram appeal. I am giving it a 7.5 out of 10 — a strong, creative spirit that earns its place but leaves me wanting just a touch more botanical intensity to match the boldness of its appearance.
Best Served
Pour 50ml over a large ice sphere, top with a premium Indian tonic, and garnish with a thin slice of dried pineapple and a single saffron thread. For something more adventurous, try it in a twist on a Bee's Knees — shake with yuzu juice, saffron-infused honey syrup, and a dash of butterfly pea flower tea. The colour shift from black to deep violet as the citrus hits is pure theatre.
