Starward Single Barrel Single Malt Australian Whisky S2B5

This is a modern whisky, first filled into a fresh red wine barrel in September 2017 before being transferred to a heavy char American oak barrique in August 2019. Distinctly Staward, this whisky speaks to the place it's made—Melbourne. Non-chill filtered and bottled at cask strength.

From Lee Diaz, Topflight Series Panel Member:

Starward's mantra is "to create a distinctly Australian whisky that could define the category." And there is no doubt that they have been doing this with their core releases, Two-Fold, Nova, and Solera. Using grains that are sourced from just a day's drive away from the distillery in Melbourne, Australia, and aging all releases in red wine barrels, there is no doubt that with every new release you pick up, you will discover notes unique to this distillery.

Excited about what this award-winning brand is doing, we quickly started asking for a barrel—finally, we had that chance. In this 111-proof pour, first aged in wine barrels and then finished in a 225L barrique barrel, you will clearly have a balance of fruit notes blended with malt and oak. On the nose, I found berries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and subtle malt. On the palate, you may discover blackberry notes, toasted marshmallows, and dark chocolate. This leads into a finish of cola, strawberry jam, and subtle leather tannins. If you are familiar with Starward, this pour is an elevated proof experience of what you already love. If this distillery is new to you, this is a perfect, poignant statement through which to start experiencing Starward.

PROOF: 111.00

AGE: 4 Years

MASHBILL: 100% Malted Barley

FINISHING BARREL: Fresh red wine barrel, then heavy char American Oak barrique

BARRELED ON: September 2017

DATE PULLED: May 2022