MELBOURNE, Australia– Australian whisky brand Starward officially launches in the U.S. today, introducing Americans to a distinct new style of whisky, utilizing the unique climate, terroir and raw materials of Australia. The first expression available in the U.S. is Starward Nova, an Australian single malt whisky matured in Australian red wine barrels.
Nova is a unique whisky which draws influence from the vibrancy of “big red” wines from southeastern Australia. The distillery team sources barrels from local wineries that previously held Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. This proximity allows the team to maximize the flavor of the wine permeated into the oak, lending a vibrant red ochre color to the final liquid. The full maturation in red wine barrels creates a light and fruity whisky with a long and spicy finish, similar to some of the country’s award-winning wines.
Since its Australian debut in 2016, Nova has received numerous accolades including two gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for both the “World’s Best Craft Distilled Whisky” and the “Best Australian Single Malt Whisky.” Starward was also recently named “Best Australian Whisky Innovator” from Icons of Whisky and crowned “Best Australian Single Malt” by the World Whiskies Awards in 2016 and 2017.
Starward utilizes the dynamic temperatures for which Melbourne is famous to accelerate the whisky maturation process in an approach known as Elemental Maturation or more colloquially “a Melbourne year.” The result is a long, distinct and spicy finish that creates a complex single malt from a relatively young whisky.
David Vitale founded the distillery in 2007 in his hometown of Melbourne. After working as business manager of a prominent Tasmanian distillery for several years, Vitale wanted to make an accessible whisky that was representative of Melbourne’s cosmopolitan character. His passion for food, wine and beer led to Starward’s original purpose of being an easy drinking whisky designed to pair well with food.
“Starward began with a simple vision: to make a distinctly Australian whisky we could offer the world with pride,” said David Vitale, founder of Starward Whisky. “I have long dreamed of being able to share our whisky in the U.S. It is a genuinely exciting time for the team as we take the next step on our Starward-bound journey.”
Tasting Notes
Nose: Bright red berries, orchard fruits, soft oak spice
Palate: Vanilla and berries balanced with caramel and spice
Finish: Long, fruity and slightly tart with hints of baking spices.
Starward Nova has an ABV of 41% and is available nationally for the suggested retail price of $55 per 750ml bottle.
About Starward Whisky
Starward was founded by David Vitale in 2007 in Melbourne, Australia and is a modern Australian whisky, elementally matured for three “Melbourne years” in Australian red wine barrels, pushing the boundaries of what whisky can be. The core ethos is built on the foundation of an approachable whisky fusing old and new. Old World – traditional product and stills, new world – maturation methods and attitude. The ingredients used to distill Starward are a day’s drive away from the Melbourne-based distillery. The red wine barrels that mature the whisky are built around a broad cross section of big Australian reds, with the keystone being 100L Barossa Shiraz barrels. Using a minimal intervention approach, the whisky gets the best flavor results and the quick turnaround time between the barrels being disgorged at the winery and arriving at Starward means that the barrels retain much of their original character that is apparent in the flavor and texture of the whisky. For more information on Starward visit starward.com.au.