Distillery

Starward

Starward is an Australian whisky producer based in Port Melbourne (Victoria). It is known for maturing its spirits in Australian red wine barrels and for a taste-driven approach that favors local ingredients and unconventional maturation techniques.
  • Port Melbourne · Victoria · Australia
  • Since 2007

Starward

Meet the producer

Official website
The story
Starward was born from founder David Vitale's idea to create a distinctive whisky recognisable as 'Australian'. The company developed in Port Melbourne (New World Whisky Distillery Pty Ltd) and progressively built a range of single malts and grain whiskies that emphasize maturation in red wine casks sourced from nearby wine regions.
Production philosophy
A search for flavour and a 'New World' style: using local ingredients (grains and casks sourced within a day's travel of the distillery) and leveraging Melbourne's climate to accelerate and concentrate the interaction between wood and spirit. Controlled experimentation (Project series, solera, etc.) and products designed to be enjoyed neat or in cocktails.
Territory
Port Melbourne, Victoria. Ingredients (grains and casks) selected from Australian wine regions such as Barossa Valley and Yarra Valley within a short distance of the distillery.
Awards and recognition
International recognitions at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (including Platinum/Double Gold medals and Starward being named 'Most Awarded Distillery' in recent editions).
Production method
Fermentation with brewing yeasts for some expressions; double distillation in copper pot stills. Predominant maturation in ex-Australian red wine casks (with practices such as wet fill on some releases) and occasional use of processes like solera for specific expressions.
Distillation
Double distillation in copper pot stills.
Ageing
Primarily matured in ex-Australian red wine casks; notable practices include wet fill on some casks and the use of solera for specific expressions. Melbourne's climate accelerates the interaction between wood and spirit.
Characteristics
Type
Distillery
City
Port Melbourne
Categories
  • Australian whisky
  • single malt
  • double grain
  • whisky matured in red wine casks
Raw materials
  • malted barley
  • wheat
Casks and ageing vessels
  • ex-Australian red wine casks (Shiraz, Cabernet, Pinot Noir)
  • American oak
  • French oak
  • casks sourced from Australian wine regions (Barossa Valley, Yarra Valley)
Representative products
  • Whisky Starward Left-Field Double Grain 70cl - Starward
  • Whisky Starward Nova Single Malt 70cl - Starward
What makes it distinctive
  • Headquarters and production in Port Melbourne (New World Whisky Distillery Pty Ltd).
  • Strong identity based on maturation in ex-Australian red wine casks.
  • Range that includes Single Malt and Double Grain (Two-Fold / Left-Field etc.).
  • Taste-driven approach and use of local ingredients.
  • Distillery & Bar open to the public with tours, masterclasses and bond-store experiences.

Products from Starward

Full collection

There are currently no products available from this producer.