Toast The Stars

Starward Distillery is located in the outskirts of Melbourne in Essendon fields. It may not be in sight of a castle ruin, however Melbourne’s highly variable climate mellows the whisky, maturing it faster than its northern hemisphere peers.

A gentle sip of Australian made Starward single malt whisky is a sharp re imagining of what it means and even feels to be a modern whisky drinker.

In this new tale, monocle sporting fat cats gently swirling spherical whisky glasses by a fireplace are swiftly rendered interchangeable with the enthusiastic twenty something ordering alongside a vodka-diet coke.

Don’t completely discard your favourite monocle just yet however, because Starward whisky creates a word where ‘experience is respected and boundaries are challenged’.  A well-rounded aroma of ripe orchard fruits and a rich toast caramel palette lends itself to a long finish. Banana, raisins, dried figs and even marzipan make Starward whisky as approachable as it is unique. Starward also boasts a traditional kick with a mature, dry and spicy medium to long finish, and a 43% ABV.

A dash of water tones down the dried fruit notes and pulls the spice into the limelight. For those looking for something a little less ‘sitting room’ and a little more ‘Saturday night drinks’, we suggest fever tree ginger ale as a mixer.

Starward’s full palette is robust enough to stand up against the strengths of the effervescence yet tame enough to blend your fourth standard drink in.
(Or second…for the doctors and RSA marshals reading). The bitey nature of the ginger adds a great balance to the depth in character of Starward whilst complimenting its strong sherry backbone. You can get it in all (good) bottle shops at $9.99 for a pack of four.
A fine balance of tradition and innovation, Starward is bottled for a fair RRP $79.99 Discover the ethereal new world where you don’t have to pour your collection into crystal whisky decanters. Because lets be honest, that must get a little confusing sometimes.

Starward is best enjoyed with Partagas Serie D No. 4 cigar.  Spicy to begin with to compliment the spicy finish of the whisky, then offers hints of sandalwood and cinnamon. A well-balanced cigar for a well-balanced whisky.

Start your discovery at Sydney’s Whisky Live where Starward will be on show to enlighten all on Friday 13^th and 14^th June and the 20^th and 21^st of June. Also check out the cocktail suggestion below for a true fat cat Aussie approach to Australian whisky.

Spark up, toast the stars and don’t forget to savour the moment.

Give this Whisky Cocktail Recipe a Try!

An Aussie in Manhattan

• 50 ml Starward Australian whisky
• 25ml Regal Rouge Australian Vermouth
• 2 dashes tambourine mountain distillery bitters

 Method:

Add ingredients to chilled boston with cracked ice and stir down. Strain into chilled glass. Garnish with Australian cherry when in season

By Michelle Reed