Starward
Born and bred in Melbourne, Starward was inspired to create a spirit that reflects Its hometown – 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 Two-Fold
- NOSE \ Bright tropical fruits, mixed red berries, vanilla and cereal.
- PALATE \ A great balance of red fruit and vanilla with a nice cereal and toasty backbone.
- FINISH \ Delicate and long. A delicious, well-rounded palate that makes Two-Fold perfect for drinking neat or in your favorite cocktails.
Starward Nova
Starward Unexpeated
Starward Whisky has fused the new world Australian way with old world Scottish expertise to craft UNEXPEATED, a new red wine barrel aged Australian single malt whisky, finished in peated whisky-drenched barrels from the finest distilleries in Islay, Scotland. For the first time, whisky drinkers will taste coastal, peaty, smoky flavour in Starward’s signature fruit-forward whisky. Now that’s UNEXPEATED!
Our juicy, tropical Starward flavours have taken on peat smoke character, in this latest release. On your tongue, subtle sweet peat melds with red-wine-barrel red berries and sticky golden peaches. You’ll discover coastal peat in the aroma and a lingering smouldering dry finish too.
TASTING NOTES
- 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 Solera
Starward Lagavulin Cask
TASTING NOTES
- Aroma: Yellow nectarine, touch of peat, pineapple, and a hint of iodine
- Taste: Initially very tropical, char-grilled pineapple, black tea and a touch of brine
- Finish: Drying ash, but follows through with tropical fruits and a touch of oak
- Colour: Amber Gold
Starward Vitalis
Vitalis is a limited-edition whisky that commemorates Starward's 15th anniversary. A true encapsulation of our life in a bottle, Vitalis comprises of six, hand-selected whisky parcels that all hold a special piece in Starward's story. With notes of chocolate-coated pineapples, coffee beans and tropical fruits, you'll find Vitalis nestles perfectly next to your favourite home cooked meal or sipped neat on its own.
Vitalis represents Starward’s life and how we are looking to new horizons. Named after our Founder, David Vitale, Vitalis is a signpost of David's gumption to "bet the farm" in hopes of creating a modern and accessible whisky. This dedication led to the food-friendly and approachable whisky that Starward is known for today, which Vitalis celebrates with its unique liquid story.
TASTING NOTES
- Aroma: Chewy toffee, raisins, chocolate coated pineapples and cedar.
- Palate: Big & viscous, rich dried fruits, red currant, and lightly roasted coffee beans. Nice balance with the bright tropical, old school Starward spirit.
- Finish: Long & oily finish with a delicate balance of fruit and oak. The higher ABV gives good palate weight and texture.
Starward (New) Old Fashioned Cocktail
A good Old Fashioned is notoriously difficult to get just right. Instead, we've put in the hard yards for you. This no fuss, new world take on a classic cocktail will let you indulge your tastebuds without having to play bartender all night.
Expertly crafted by our top Starward distillers and bartenders. We take our signature single malt and add house-made wattle seed and orange bitters and demerara sugar. The perfect mellow balance of spice with just a hint of sweetness.
Nose: Rich vanilla and orange, lifted by aromatic bitters, spices and bright citrus.
Palate: Decadent and full bodied, balanced by dry wattle seed, red fruit, orange and coffee.
Finish: A long finish, sweet, dry and balanced.
Pour over ice with a twist of orange. With 10 serves in a bottle, it's great at a BBQ with steak, sardines or chicken.
Starward 100 Proof
- NOSE \ Upfront aromas of Madagascan vanilla pods, rich toasted American oak, blackberry jam, raisins, dried fig, and over ripe plums.
- PALATE \ Rich and full bodied, vanilla, quince paste, Muscadelle raisins, chocolate ganache, cinnamon and baked banana bread.
- FINISH \ Viscous and long. Capturing the whole palate and balanced well with a finish of baking spices from the oak and ripe figs and raisins.
Starward Coffee Old Fashioned Cocktail
Pour over ice with a twist of orange peel to garnish. Best served with chocolatey dessert or tiramisu. One word of warning though. Bring this to a party, and it might just steal the limelight.
Nose: Intense coffee, vanilla with a hint of orange peel.
Palate: Coffee forward followed by dark chocolate and cacao.
Finish: Vanilla and light roasted coffee bean.
Starward Ginger Beer Cask #7
ZINGY, ZESTY AND OH-SO FRESH.
Ginger Beer Cask #7 is back filled with the zingy goodness that you have been longing for. Crafted with Starward's signature single malt whisky, our Ginger Beer Cask is finished in barrels that once held our distillery made ginger beer.
TASTING NOTES
- 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 Muscat Cask
SPICY, AROMATIC, AND BURSTING WITH FLAVOUR
This exciting limited release couldn't wait any longer! A single malt whisky fully matured in Muscat barrels from Rutherglen, Victoria. In a nod to the iconic Muscat grape, our whisky spent a perfect 4 years soaking up all those sweet and spicy Muscat characters. The result is a unique expression that's aromatic and bursting with flavour.
TASTING NOTES
- Colour: Auburn
- Nose: Toasted almonds and raisins, topped with sweet and juicy lychees
- Palate: Imagine a plate of hot sticky cinnamon spice buns, straight out of the oven
- Finish: Smooth and delicate, with hints of toasted oak and liquorice
Starward Dolce
Dolce, a single, limited release, is a melding of juicy wine and oak characters with a flourish of sweet ‘Sicilian’ notes; marshmallow and cola. A twice distilled single malt spirit. Made with Australian barley and brewers' yeast for extra flavour. This Single Malt Australian Whisky was matured in Australian red wine barrels and then finished in barrels that held an Australian interpretation of a Sicilian Dessert Wine.
It is the newest release from the Starward Projects, a program where distillers get to experiment with different whiskies and create flavour forward and unique expressions. That is why Dolce is unlike any released before. Intriguing marshmallow and cola characters melding with the Starward stamp of red wine barrel maturation, it is an embodiment of the Italian word for sweet, Dolce. This one's a stunning straight sipper, especially with a cheeseboard, after dinner or just as your dessert!
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.