If renaming himself was good enough for David Bowie (formerly known as David Robert Jones), it’s good enough for a gin. That’s the theory of the team behind Kiwi gin brand Rogue Society, who today have relaunched their much-loved gin in New Zealand with the new name “Scapegrace”.

NAME GAME

Originally dreamt up in a living room, the guys behind Scapegrace never expected their pet project to grow as huge as it has. But that’s exactly what happened, and Rogue Society soon conquered Australia, before heading towards Europe.

However that’s where they hit a snag ­– a US brewery called “Rogue”, who didn’t take too kindly to the idea of sharing their name. Rather than head to court to battle it out, the team showed some classic Kiwi resilience, and instead decided to re-brand.

TREASURE HUNT

After hitting the books (and probably a lot of Google), the team came across “scapegrace”, a word first used in 1700s England that essentially means rogue, libertine or renegade.

Scapegrace gin launched under the new name in the UK just over two years ago and quickly went great guns. It’s now stocked in over 30 countries around the world – and next stop is America.

This week Rogue Society has become Scapegrace in New Zealand, but you’ll be pleased to know that the award-winning bottle and gin remain the same. Find out more about the name change by watching the video below.

ROGUE SOCIETY SCAPEGRACE TASTING NOTES

Made with botanicals including lemon and orange peel, coriander seeds, cardamom pods, nutmeg, juniper berries, cloves, angelica root, liquorice root, orris root, cinnamon and cassia bark, Scapegrace is a flavoursome, dry-style gin with a crisp and refreshing edge.

• Aroma: classic juniper, floral notes of lavender and orange blossom, plus earthy scents of cinnamon and nutmeg and a fresh finish of citrus.
• Taste: flavours of juniper, orange peel and spice, with a smooth but crisp and flavourful finish
• RRP $74.99, 750ml

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