A delightful Australian Single Malt in the Sherried Highland style.

David Vitale left the corporate training software market in 2007 to launch his vision for a uniquely Australian Whisky — New World Whisky Distillery in Melbourne. Shortly thereafter he developed his first brand to fulfill that vision, and he named that brand Starward. Early-stage funding for the project came from Diageo’s in-house funding division — Distill Ventures — and they were able to build their own production distillery in 2016 located in an old airplane hanger. And while Starward began as a producer of Malt Whisky, he has since expanded to a range of Whiskies and bottled cocktails that have taken Down Under by storm.

Starward Solera Single Malt Australian Whisky is made from 100% Australian malted barley that’s been fermented with brewer’s yeast and double-distilled. It’s aged exclusively in re-sized Apera casks using the solera aging technique.

When we first sipped it the aroma and flavor profile made us think of The Balvenie Double-wood series. But the use of brewer’s yeast adds an additional bready note to the aroma.

Smartass Corner 1
Although perhaps more famous for beer, Australia is an important Wine-producing country. On average, Australia produces ~5% of the world’s Wine depending on the quality of the harvest from year to year.

Smartass Corner 2
For years, Australian Wine produces have made fortified Wines similar to Spanish Sherry. In order to differentiate the Australian varieties and avoid any market confusion, all Australian fortified Wines were required to call their Spirits “Apera” as of September 1, 2010.