Earlier this week, Nino reviewed the Starward Australian Single Malt Finished in Lagavulin Barrels and awarded it a top score of 10 out of 10.
Starward Whisky has amassed a large following both domestically and overseas, with bottles now available in the US and Europe. The whisky has also been awarded multiple accolades, including ‘Most Awarded Distillery of The Year’ at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Nino can certainly understand why this is the case, calling the whisky “really quite spectacular, dialed in in all the right ways.”
So, given Starward’s increasing popularity, I thought it was high time I delved into the world of Australian whisky, and gave you everything you need to know about Starward Whisky.
The Origins of Starward Whisky
The Starward Distillery was founded in 2007 by David Vitale. When David decided to establish his own whisky distillery, he found that Melbourne’s weather presented a unique opportunity for whisky making.
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Melbourne has extremely changeable weather. The Starward website calls this “Melbourne’s notorious four seasons in one day.” As a result of the ever-fluctuating temperature, the barrels in which the whisky matures expand and contract at a faster rate, allowing the whisky to seep into every crack in the wood and be imbued with its influence. This influence, as you will go on to read, comes from Australia’s famous red wines.
As the Starward website says, “It all began with a curious idea and a roll of the dice.”
And so, Starward Distillery was built in Port Melbourne, close to the Yarra River and Hobsons Bay, under the tagline ‘Taking whisky to new horizons’.
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In an interview with Forbes, Vitale said of Starward: “Essentially I wanted it to be as consistent as Johnnie Walker, as easy to drink as Maker’s Mark, as distinctive in flavor as Laphroaig 10, as iconic as Wild Turkey and as well-crafted as Balvenie Doublewood.”
How Is The Whisky Made?
From the outset, Starward’s ethos was to make uniquely Australian whisky. As such, the whisky is distilled from grains grown no more than a day’s drive from the distillery, mostly within Victoria and New South Wales.
Following an extended fermentation of the malted barley, the whisky is distilled in large copper stills.
Much of Starward’s whisky is matured exclusively in red wine barrels, with others matured in a combination of casks. One example of this is the Starward 100 Proof Single Malt Whisky, which is matured in a combination of American oak and Australian red wine.
Why Red Wine Barrels?
Australia is famed for its full-bodied red wines hailing from regions such as the Barossa Valley and the Yarra Valley. David Vitale, the founder of Starward, decided that having these regions in his ‘backyard’ meant a unique opportunity to mature his Australian whisky in red wine barrels.
Starward sources these red wine casks, again, from within a day’s drive of the distillery from partner winemakers. Each barrel is carefully selected for quality, ensuring that Starward whisky benefits from the red wine influence.
The resulting whiskies, such as Starward Nova and Two-Fold, boast complex notes of red fruits and sweet vanilla.
The Starward Whisky Range
Starward produces both single malt and single grain whiskies, as well as double grain expressions. The current range of core Starward expressions is as follows:
- NOVA Single Malt Whisky, 41% ABV – A “fruit-forward” expression matured exclusively in red wine barrels. Tasting notes feature berries, chocolate, and spice.
- 100 PROOF, 50% ABV – A higher proof expression matured in American oak and Australian red wine barrels. Tasting notes feature figs, blackberry, and vanilla.
- SOLERA, 43% ABV – A favorite of Starward founder David Vitale, this expression is aged in Apera (Australian sherry) barrels. Tasting notes include raisins, pineapple, and caramel.
- TWO-FOLD, 40% ABV, – A blend of wheat and single malt whisky married together and matured in red wine barrels. Expect tropical notes with berries and vanilla.
- HER HONEYCOMB, 40% – A collaborative expression with Melbourne bar, HER. Two-Fold whisky is blended with local honey from Pure Peninsula Honey.
How Much Does Starward Whisky Cost?
Starward’s current whiskies range in price from $75 AUD (~$50 USD)to $149 (~ $100).
The distillery also sells personalized single malts and double grain whiskies, allowing you to put your name (or the name of a loved one) on your very own bottle.
Other available products include RTD cocktails, bottled cocktails, and merchandise. Browse the collection here.
Where To Buy Starward Australian Whisky
American Starward Whisky fans, rejoice! Starward has gone stateside. Not only that, but so has its owner. According to Forbes, Vitale moved to the US in 2019 to help launch his brand in the US. The venture has clearly worked, as the brand now has a huge market presence both in the USA and the UK.
You can find your nearest stockists here.
UK drinkers! You too can find Starward Australian Whisky distributed widely across the UK. Type in your address here to find your nearest store.
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