Born and bred in Melbourne, Starward was inspired to create a spirit that reflects Its home town – from its culture to its famed ‘four seasons in a day’ temperature swings. It is a city surrounded by some of Australia’s leading wine regions – all within a day’s drive and is regarded as the microbrewing capital of Australia.
It seems obvious now that all the ingredients for a modern Australian whisky were close by, but in 2007, when we first started, the idea of an approachable, affordable Australian whisky – served neat or as a cocktail with food – was a big leap of faith.
While Australia had a well established small-scale ultra-premium whisky scene, Starward pioneered an affordable, approachable and distinctly Australian whisky exclusively matured in Australian wine barrels.
The result is Starward. A modern Australian whisky, elementally matured for three “Melbourne years,” that pushes the boundaries of what whisky can be.
Starward Old Fashioned Cocktail
Starward Coffee Old Fashioned Cocktail
- Nose : Intense coffee, vanilla with a hint of orange peel.
- Palate : Coffee forward followed by dark chocolate and cacao.
- Finish : Textural and rounding. Vanilla and light roasted coffee bean.
Starward Two Fold
- Nose : Bright red berries coated in buttery vanilla spice.
- Palate : Imagine a smooth, rich caramel dessert balanced by tropical fruit.
- Finish : Delicate and long. A delicious, dry finish from a faded sweetness.
Starward Nova
- Nose : Bright flavours of red berries and orchard fruit and coated them in soft oak spice.
- Palate : Imagine a rich red berry pudding covered in vanilla, caramel and spice.
- Finish : Balanced and long. The sweetness fades and the delicious flavour goes on.
Starward Solera
- Nose : Bright tropical and orchard fruits, caramel and vanilla.
- Palate : Toasty caramel and creme brûlée, banana, figs and sweet spice.
- Finish : Juicy and full with a lingering dry spice.
Starward Fortis
- Nose : Very forward aromas of Madagascan vanilla pods, rich toasted American oak, blackberry jam, raisins, caramelised fig, raw sugar and over ripe plums.
- Palate : Rich and full bodied, upfront vanillin, quince paste, Muscadelle raisins, chocolate ganache, cinnamon and baked banana bread.
- Finish : Viscous and long. It really captures the whole palate and balances well with a finish of baking spices from the oak and ripe figs and raisins.
Starward Dolce
- Nose : Dried fruits, toasted marshmallows and marzipan.
- Palate : Initial sweetness on the front palate, rich dried fruits, brown sugar, cola and toasted marshmallows.
- Finish : Palate is viscous, caramelised but enough tannin leaving a well-balance finish.
Starward Ginger Beer Cask #6
- Nose : Ginger, orange and dark chocolate.
- Palate : Strong spicy ginger, fresh vanilla and pineapple, balanced by sweet raisins and fig.
- Finish : A big, warming mouthfeel with candied ginger and citrus.
Starward Unexpeated
- Nose : Tropical fruits, toasted oak and a hint of sweet peat.
- Palate : Ripe red berries, coastal peat smoke, yellow peaches and cocoa nibs.
- Finish : Oak slowly dries the palate, with a long peated finish after.
Starward Tawny #2
- Aroma : Dried fruit /raisins, toasty oak, fig and dried orange.
- Palate : Initial sweetness on the front palate, rich dried fruits, brown sugar and nutmeg.
- Finish : Palate slowly dries from the spice leaving a well-balanced finish.