9
Expressions
9
With Tasting Notes
100%
Completeness
About
Melbourne-based distillery exclusively using Australian red wine barrels (Shiraz, Cabernet, Pinot) for maturation. Melbourne's four-seasons-in-a-day climate drives aggressive wood interaction. Flagship Nova and Two-Fold expressions designed to be approachable and cocktail-friendly. Australia's largest single malt producer by volume.
Production Details
Owner
Starward Whisky
Parent Company
Missing
Status
Active
Founded
2007
Still Type
Pot
Stills
4
Capacity
0.6M LPA
Water Source
Melbourne municipal (Yarra Valley catchments)
Core Range5
Starward 100 ProofCore
NAS50% ABV$55-70
American oak and Australian red wine barrels — single malt, higher proof
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Rich copper-amber; slightly deeper than Nova from the higher proof concentration
Smell
Amplified Nova character at higher proof — bolder red fruit, cherry, plum, dark chocolate, vanilla. American oak brings additional caramel and coconut. More intense and concentrated than the standard expressions
Sip
Medium-full body. Higher proof delivers concentrated fruit — cherry, plum, red berries, dark chocolate, vanilla. American oak adds caramel and coconut. Bolder and more assertive than Nova. Excellent neat or with a splash of water that opens up the fruit
Savor
Medium-long finish. Bold fruit, chocolate, vanilla, oak. More persistence than Nova. The higher proof expression for those wanting more intensity from the Starward flavour profile
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Greengrocer-Orchard (cherry, plum, red berries), Sweet Shop (dark chocolate, caramel), Pub/Bar (red wine), Bakery (vanilla, coconut), Furniture Maker (American oak)
Starward FortisCore
NAS50% ABV$100-130
Australian red wine barrels — single malt, bold and full-bodied expression
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Deep copper-ruby with rich amber highlights; the darkest Starward core expression from extended wine barrel maturation
Smell
Bold and intense — dark fruit, black cherry, plum jam, dark chocolate, espresso, leather. Extended wine barrel maturation gives the deepest, most complex nose in Starward's range. Toasted oak, vanilla, gentle spice. A premium step up
Sip
Full body. The boldest Starward — dark cherry, plum jam, dark chocolate, espresso. Rich leather and toasted oak. Wine barrel intensity dialled up to maximum. Designed for the whisky drinker who wants Australian terroir at full volume
Savor
Long finish. Dark fruit, chocolate, espresso, leather, oak. The most persistent finish in Starward's core range. Premium positioning at $129 RRP reflects extended maturation
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Greengrocer-Orchard (black cherry, plum jam), Sweet Shop (dark chocolate), Pub/Bar (red wine, intense), Library (espresso), Furniture Maker (leather, toasted oak), Bakery (vanilla)
Starward NovaCore
NAS41% ABV$45-55
Australian red wine barrels (Shiraz, Cabernet) — single malt, non-chill filtered
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Warm copper-amber with ruby tints from red wine barrel maturation
Smell
Fruit-forward and approachable — red berries, plum, cherry, vanilla, toffee. Australian red wine influence gives bold fruit character. Chocolate, gentle spice, toasted oak. Melbourne's climate drives rapid maturation
Sip
Medium body. Red wine fruit dominance — cherry, plum, red berries. Vanilla, toffee, milk chocolate. The flagship Starward expression and gateway to Australian whisky. Wine barrel maturation gives a uniquely fruit-driven, approachable character. Smooth and moreish
Savor
Medium finish. Red fruit, vanilla, gentle oak. Clean and smooth. The whisky that put Starward on the world map — six Double Gold medals at 2024 SFWSC
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Greengrocer-Orchard (cherry, plum, red berries), Pub/Bar (red wine), Sweet Shop (toffee, milk chocolate), Bakery (vanilla), Furniture Maker (toasted oak)
Starward SoleraCore
NAS43% ABV$50-75
Australian Apera (sherry-style) barrels — single malt, solera system
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Deep amber-gold with rich copper highlights; Apera barrels give deeper colour than the wine-matured expressions
Smell
Rich and warming — dried fruit, toffee, nutmeg, orange peel, dark chocolate. Australian Apera (sherry-style) barrels give the richest, most sherried character in Starward's range. Leather, walnut, honey. More serious than Nova
Sip
Medium-full body. Sherry-influenced richness — dried fruit, toffee, dark chocolate, orange peel. Walnut, leather, honey. The solera system ensures consistency across batches while the Apera barrels bring depth. The most complex core range Starward expression
Savor
Medium-long finish. Dried fruit, toffee, chocolate, gentle spice. Warm and satisfying. The Apera barrel influence makes this the richest Starward, bridging Australian and traditional Scotch flavour profiles
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Pub/Bar (Apera/sherry), Greengrocer-Dried (dried fruit), Sweet Shop (toffee, dark chocolate), Greengrocer-Citrus (orange peel), Bakery (honey), Furniture Maker (leather), Natural Foods (walnut, nutmeg)
Starward Two-FoldCore
NAS40% ABV$28-35
Australian red wine barrels — double grain (wheat + malted barley blend)
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Light gold with warm amber tints; lighter colour than Nova reflecting the wheat grain component
Smell
Light and approachable — vanilla, caramel, red apple, gentle red wine fruit. The wheat component adds a soft, sweet cereal character. Accessible and versatile as a cocktail base or neat sipper
Sip
Light-medium body. Soft and sweet — vanilla, caramel, red apple, gentle berry fruit. Wheat grain gives smooth, easy-drinking character. Red wine barrels add just enough fruit sweetness. Designed as Starward's most accessible expression and cocktail whisky
Savor
Short-medium finish. Vanilla, gentle fruit, clean. Approachable and versatile. The entry-level Starward at an accessible price point
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Sweet Shop (vanilla, caramel), Greengrocer-Orchard (red apple, berry), Bakery (cereal, wheat), Pub/Bar (red wine, subtle)
Limited / Special Releases4
Starward Octave Barrels
NAS48% ABV2021$70-90
100-litre octave casks from Yalumba Octavius Shiraz — increased wood interaction, limited release
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Deep copper with rich amber highlights; smaller casks give increased colour from greater wood contact
Smell
Intense Shiraz influence — dark berries, plum, spice, dark chocolate, leather. The small 100-litre octave casks from Yalumba's Octavius Shiraz give extraordinary wood interaction. Rich and full
Sip
Full body. Intense Shiraz cask character — dark berries, plum jam, dark chocolate, leather, spice. The smaller cask size means more surface area contact, amplifying the wine influence. Bold and assertive. A wine lover's whisky
Savor
Long finish. Dark fruit, chocolate, Shiraz spice, leather. Persistent wine-barrel influence. The Octave Barrels concept showcases how cask size dramatically affects whisky character
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Pub/Bar (Shiraz wine, intense), Greengrocer-Orchard (dark berries, plum jam), Sweet Shop (dark chocolate), Furniture Maker (leather, oak), Natural Foods (spice)
Starward Tawny Cask
NAS48% ABV$85-110
100-litre Tawny port casks — limited release, increased wood interaction
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Warm rose-copper with pink-amber highlights from Tawny port cask maturation
Smell
Tawny port richness — dried fruit, walnut, caramel, orange peel, brown sugar. The fortified wine cask adds distinctive nutty, oxidative character different from the red wine expressions. Honey, vanilla, gentle oak
Sip
Medium-full body. Tawny port influence — dried fruit, walnut, caramel, orange peel, brown sugar. Nutty and sweet, different from the red fruit-driven Nova/Fortis. Honey, vanilla, gentle tannins. Small octave casks amplify the port character
Savor
Medium-long finish. Tawny port warmth, dried fruit, walnut, caramel. Nutty and sweet at close. Limited release showcasing port cask as an alternative to the dominant red wine maturation
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Pub/Bar (Tawny port), Greengrocer-Dried (dried fruit), Natural Foods (walnut), Sweet Shop (caramel, brown sugar), Greengrocer-Citrus (orange peel), Bakery (honey, vanilla)
Starward Unexpeated
NAS48% ABV$85-110
Peated malt finished in Australian red wine barrels — limited release
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Warm copper-amber with golden highlights
Smell
Unexpected peat meets Australian wine — gentle smoke, red fruit, cherry, vanilla. Not a heavy peat — more campfire than medicinal. The wine barrel influence softens and integrates the smoke. A unique Australian take on peated whisky
Sip
Medium body. Gentle peat smoke balanced by red wine fruit — cherry, plum, vanilla. Campfire smoke meets Australian terroir. Not trying to be Islay — a distinctly Melbourne interpretation of peat. Smooth and intriguing
Savor
Medium finish. Gentle smoke, red fruit, vanilla. The peat fades gracefully into wine-barrel sweetness. A conversation-starting whisky that challenges peated whisky conventions
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Smoke House (gentle campfire), Greengrocer-Orchard (cherry, plum), Pub/Bar (red wine), Sweet Shop (vanilla), Bakery (malt)
Starward Vitalis
NAS52% ABV2022$130-160
Premium cask selection — Australian red wine barrels, limited edition
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Deep ruby-copper with mahogany highlights; premium cask selection gives the richest colour
Smell
Premium concentration — dark fruit, black cherry, plum, dark chocolate, espresso, leather, aged oak. The finest cask selection from Starward's warehouses. Rich, complex, and multilayered. A collector's expression
Sip
Full body. Concentrated and complex — dark cherry, plum, dark chocolate, espresso, leather. Premium cask selection at 52% ABV delivers intensity. Each sip reveals new layers. The most premium limited Starward expression at $150 RRP
Savor
Very long finish. Dark fruit, chocolate, espresso, leather, oak. Persistent and evolving. A showcase of what Australian whisky can achieve at the premium end
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Greengrocer-Orchard (black cherry, plum), Sweet Shop (dark chocolate), Library (espresso), Furniture Maker (leather, aged oak), Pub/Bar (red wine)