Starward Australian Whisky Brings Another Release To The US

Australian whisky brand Starward earlier this year washed up on American shores with Nova, an Australian single malt aged in red wine barrels. It wasn’t the only official release the distillery from Down Under was apparently planning however, as it was recently announced a double grain expression was being brought here as well.

Starward Two-Fold Double Grain Whisky, according to those behind it, is a double grain whisky comprised of 60% wheat and 40% malted barley. Both are said to be fully matured separately in red wine barrels “from some of Australia’s leading wineries in the Yarra Valley before being married together” to create a blended expression bottled at 40% ABV.

“When I envisioned Two-Fold, I was inspired by Melbourne’s world class foodie scene,” said David Vitale, Founder of Starward Whisky, in a prepared statement. “We’re obsessed with excellence in all types of food and drink without getting too serious or formal about it. I wanted to create a whisky for us to enjoy and celebrate alongside our world-class craft beers, wines and amazing food.

“We found that wheat and malted barley create the perfect backdrop for our red wine barrels to shine both as a neat and easy drinking whisky but also mixed, in a cocktail or at the barbie – we are Australian after all!”

The choice of the two grains for this whisky was done in mind with creating an “ideal tasting whisky.” To that end the malted barley reportedly gave it depth, while the wheat provided “an aromatic and dry note.” More full fledged official tasting notes can be found below for your consideration. As it stands now plans call for Two-Fold to price around $33 per 750 ml bottle.

• Color: Burnt amber with a strong red hue
• Nose: Imagine a lush fruit bowl drizzled with toffee and warm vanilla. Soft aromatics of red fruit and warm vanilla spice
• Palate: Balanced with wine-influenced fruit flavors and bright tropical fruit character with a rich mouthfeel of lightly toasted oak
• Finish: Delicate dry finish with a soft wine-like structure that lingers and makes you return for more