Starward 4yo, Single Barrel 2016
ABV: 55.7%
Region: Australia
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery (exclusively for whic)
Cask type: Red Wine Cask from Barossa Valley, Finish in Charred American Oak Cask (#10323, 240 btl.)
Colour: Dark amber.
Nose: Fruity and sweet on the nose with dried fruits, jammed red berries, cherries and plums. In addition, notes of red gooseberries, some vanilla biscuits and a
touch of marzipan. In the background a pinch of mulled wine spice.
Palate: Discreetly sweet on the palate with a lush red berry note. Dark fruit jam with a warming pinch of liquorice, anise and caramel.
Finish: The finish is medium long and creamy. Becomes drier with time with dark chocolate, a hint of tobacco leaf as well as a slightly bitter oak note.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, very berry and jammy on the nose with lots of red fruits, plus toffee, some liquorice and a hint of tobacco leaves in the background. Discreetly sweet, creamy and jammy on the palate with red berry fruits, caramel, liquorice and a warming touch of pepper. The finish is still medium long, slightly warming and fruity creamy. Becomes increasingly dry with cocoa, liquorice, tobacco leaf and some walnut.
Comments: Wow - this is a luscious, fruit-driven single malt from Melbourne with an almost marmalade-like structure. Very lush, but not too sweet on the palate, so that tart notes of liquorice and chocolate also come to the fore and reveal a nice balance. Due to the intense climate in Melbourne, this dram already appears very balanced and mellow after the short maturation period. A perfect whisky for dessert after a good meal.
I thank whic (Whiskycircle) for the complimentary sample and the photograph!
Starward Two-Fold, Double Grain
ABV: 40%
Region: Australia
Price per bottle: °
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Australian Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon & Pinot Noir Barrique Casks and Hogsheads (6,000 btl.)
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Sweet on the nose with fruity aromas of red currants and plums, followed by vanilla and some honey. A light perfumed note is noticeable with a touch of oak in
the background.
Palate: Light and slightly prickling on the tongue with tropical fruits and honeydew melon. This is accompanied by sweet aromas of butter biscuits and milk chocolate,
followed by a touch of oak.
Finish: The finish is rather short, slightly warming and dry with subtle tannins and again a touch of oak.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, the fruity aromas are clearly pushed into the background and only some vanilla comes out. Prickling on the palate with
few tropical fruits, but more spices - oak and ginger - and honey. The finish is very short and slightly warming with tannins and a whiff of oak.
Comments: A light, smooth and fruity-sweet whisky from Melbourne, which has its strengths in aroma and taste. Unfortunately the finish is very short. Perhaps a higher
abv would have been a better choice here. Nevertheless, a light, uncomplicated and nice summer whisky. Maybe even serve it slightly chilled.
I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!