Are you ready to experience a one-of-a-kind, new Australian spirit? Glasses at the ready – this latest release is not to be missed. At Starward, we’re not afraid to push the boundaries, and our Co-Ferment Grape x Malt Australian Spirit is without a doubt the furthest we’ve pushed them. 

For the first time, we’ve combined freshly crushed Cabernet Sauvignon grape juice and our signature malted barley wash in equal parts. We then co-fermented, distilled, and matured it for nearly six years in a mix of fresh and charred Australian red wine barrels. 

The result? A rich, fruit-forward spirit bursting with flavour. We’re talking juicy blackberries, decadent toffee, and jammy quince paste , all wrapped up in a smooth, complex body. Whether you sip it neat or enjoy it over ice, this unique release is crafted for those among us who love flavour, not rules.  
 

The curiosity behind the creation 

Leading the inspiration for this release is our Head Distiller and Blender, Carlie Dyer, whose winemaking roots sparked a lifelong curiosity, one that ultimately led her to ask a bold question: what might happen if two ancient crafts came together? “I came from a background in winemaking, and when I first joined Starward, I was really inspired by our red wine barrel maturation and how they influenced those signature fruit-forward notes in our whisky. That’s when I started wondering… what would happen if the two came together to create something new? Not just in maturation, but from the very beginning of the distillation process? That was the question that kick-started this experimentation, and we never looked back…” says Carlie.  

Carlie and our team of ex-brewers and winemakers leaned into their roots – literally. Every ingredient was sourced within a day’s drive of our Port Melbourne distillery. It’s local. It’s experimental. It’s delicious. It's our ambitious idea yet. And it’s a bold reflection of everything we stand for.  

The process

Our distillers combined equal parts freshly crushed Cabernet Sauvignon grape juice with our signature malted barley wash, co-fermented and distilled together, then left to mature in American and French Oak red wine barrels for nearly six years.  

A new chapter  

From the beginning, we’ve been about challenging conventions and reimagining tradition. Founder David Vitale puts it best: “Starward Co-Ferment is a release that’s close to my heart, and I am incredibly proud of the entire team for creating what is a beautifully balanced and complex spirit. In addition to making history, it’s bloody delicious and I can’t wait to see how our fans embrace it in their repertoire,” he says.  

Tasting notes and serving suggestions  

Smooth, balanced, and full of flavour, this spirit is bursting with notes of juicy blackberries, toffee and quince paste. It’s the perfect marriage of experimentation and flavour. As with any Starward expression, there’s no rulebook for enjoyment, but our personal favourite way to enjoy this is simply served neat or poured over ice.  

Co-Ferment will be available through a ballot, with only a limited number of bottles up for grabs. This release will not be available in stores, so enter the ballot below for your chance to purchase.