Sixteen years ago we had an idea, some red wine barrels and Melbourne’s weather on our side. Today, we’ve taken home the largest haul of medals at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (a.k.a – The Oscars of the booze world). What does this mean exactly? Well, 13 Double Gold medals, 8 Platinum medals and 13 Gold Medals, to be exact. Excitingly, it’s our first time receiving a Platinum Medal, (eight of them!) and they’re only awarded to the very few medals that receive a Double Gold Medal for three consecutive years.

A win of this calibre, especially up against 5,500 other spirits producers globally, is certainly something to be applauded — and it also feels like the opportune time to get to know the ins and outs of Starward. So, where do we begin? With a drink, of course! After all, this is a celebration. Sam’s drink of choice is ‘a Nova Whisky, neat, in a nice glass — it’s our flagship single malt whisky, matured in French and American oak barrels, and encapsulates all the facets of Starward.’ We’ll have what he’s having.

Here’s how it happened according to Starward’s Head of Production, Sam Slaney.

HOME IS WHERE THE WHISKY IS  

Let’s set the scene. When you step into the Starward distillery, you’re greeted by a cavernous old (like 100 years old) shed. It’s a big space; you need plenty of room. The ceilings tower above and the sound of pumps, steam, forklifts and people shouting are punctuated with the ‘chink’ of ice being dropped into glasses at the bar. Yes, the distillery has a bar and yes, the drinks are always flowing. As you take in the space, you’ll notice a slightly fruity scent fill your nostrils — the fermentation. ‘That’s all those lovely fruity esters from the yeast fermenting plus the smell of red wine from the oak barrels.’ This is Starward: a modern urban distillery proud of being in Melbourne and to be doing everything under one roof. ‘We go from grain to bottle on site,’ explains Sam. ‘We get our malted barley from Geelong, we use our super clean Melbourne water, and all staff (from finance to marketing) work out of here. It’s a real space — a nice mix of polished service next to the place it’s made.’

THE DREAM TEAM

Fantastic people and friends who’ve come and gone over the past 16 years celebrate this win. ‘They’ve all been across the journey and have contributed so much to what we do and who we are,’ says Sam. Notable shoutouts include Starward’s Head Blender Jarrad who, according to Sam, is whisky master material: ‘I don’t use that word ‘master’ willy-nilly, but he’s well on his way.’ Then there’s our production distillers who are all over nailing the quality, and Production Manager Pete who ensures everything happens without a hitch behind the scenes. ‘We couldn’t have done it without our team — they’re a reflection of the work and love put into Starward.’

THE MOST AWARDED DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2022 SFWSC

For those that have followed Starward on their journey for a little while would know that this isn’t their first time their liquid gold has struck gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2022, we graciously were coined as the ‘Most Awarded Distillery of the Year’. To take home the title, you must be the distiller earning the most points, measured by the number and level of awards won. We were chuffed to have won 12 Double Gold and 3 Gold medals this year — and it’s fantastic validation of not only the quality of whisky Starward is making, but also what’s coming out of Australia. ‘We’re proud of Starward leading the charge of Australian whisky going global, and to get it on the tips of tongues of drinkers and food enthusiasts around the world.’

 
Want to visit our globally accoladed whisky distillery but you’re not sure where to start on the drinks list? Sam suggests a Two-Fold and tonic. ‘People come in who aren’t necessarily whisky drinkers; we’ll serve them a Two-Fold, ice and a good quality tonic topped with a slice of ruby grapefruit and they try it and say “Wow! I didn’t know you could do that with whisky!”’ That’s just the beginning — we’ve got plenty more whiskies to try neat, over ice or shaken up in a cocktail. So, see you at the bar where you can raise a glass Distillery of the Year. We’ll drink to that!

Learn more about the award winners.