If you were to have only one whisky on your bar, Two-Fold embodies approachability and versatility, Two-Fold is a wheat and single malt whisky, folded together and matured in Australian red wine barrels. It’s popular for its tropical fruit-forward characteristics. Think, ripe pineapple, bananas with a hint of vanilla, making it the perfect whisky to enjoy neat, over ice or mixed in a (New) Old Fashioned.

Onto Nova next: our signature single malt, red wine cask expression whose DNA can be found across all our whiskies – it’s also a platinum medal winner at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Nova is matured exclusively in red wine barrels sourced from places like the Yarra Valley and Barossa, resulting in a fruit-forward whisky rich with notes of red berries, chocolate and spice. Delicious when sipped neat, or paired with a charcuterie and cheese platter.

Solera is Starward’s very first whisky. Unlike our other whiskies, Solera is matured in Apera barrels (Australian Sherry), offering a rich blend of creme brulee, fig and caramel with a lingering dry spice. Crafted using the traditional Spanish solera process, whereby a drop of our very first bottle of Solera can be found in each bottle of whisky, to this day! This is Starward's new world take on a classic style.

100 Proof is our lusciously bold single malt whisky, popular for its rich and full-bodied palate. Featuring juicy plum and ganache with notes of sweet vanilla. Championing Australian ingredients, 100 Proof is fully matured in American Oak red wine barrels and bottled at 100 proof, a tip of the hat to the American bottled in bond style.

What Makes Starward a Uniquely Australian Whisky?

Our mission is to produce a distinctly Australian whisky unlike any other in the world. We achieve this by trialling new barrels, expressions, grains, and styles – all of which push us to go further for flavour. We aren’t bound by tradition; instead, our innovations and experiments, letting Melbourne’s weather, red wine barrels and local ingredients shine. We’re proud that Starward is leading the charge for Australian whisky on the global stage, bringing it to the lips of drinkers and food enthusiasts around the world.

Choosing a Whisky

Tasting Notes 

Many factors influence the flavours of our whisky. This first is the location of our Port Melbourne distillery. We are proud to call Melbourne home, with some of the country’s best produce and resources on our doorstep. It all begins with malted barley grown in Geelong, Victoria. Our malt is delivered weekly to ensure the freshest grain possible when crafting our whisky; we work closely with growers and maltsters to monitor new varieties and ensure we are using the best available. Our malted barley is prepared for brewing craft beers, allowing us to go further for flavour by capturing distinct notes of cereal and smooth malt. We use a combination of brewers’ and distillers' yeast to capture the tropical, fruit-forward esthers that are reflected in our whisky.

Then there’s our signature red wine barrels sourced from the famed wine regions such as the Yarra Valley, Barossa Valley and Margaret River. Because we source all of our red wine barrels so close to our distillery, many of them arrive fresh and still dripping with red wine, allowing us to 'wet fill' them with our signature spirit. This is the ‘secret sauce’ to our delicious, juicy and fruit-forward whisky. Then, of course, we have Melbourne’s unpredictable weather which allows our whisky to draw out its signature fruity, delicious flavour in just three short years. We call this “elemental maturation” and it's why we couldn't make our whisky anywhere else.

Food Pairings 

Our founder, David Vitale, grew up in a big Italian family, in Melbourne. He's food obsessed without ever getting too serious or formal about it. And he knows our whisky feels right at home at those moments spent around the dinner table. Given Starward whisky is created with food in mind, we recommend trying these delicious food pairings. Of course, sip Starward how you want and not how you’re told!

Two-Fold pairs perfectly with light, vibrant dishes like seafood pasta and sashimi, or even a tropical fruit pavlova, enhancing the whisky's delicate wheat character and tropical-fruit notes.

Nova’s full red wine maturation makes it pair beautifully with cured meats and robust cheeses, complementing its fruit-forward berry notes.

100 Proof and comfort food go hand in hand. Think something on the slightly richer side to balance against this expression’s full-bodied taste, warmer mouth feel and higher ABV. Fire up the barbecue and try some sticky ribs, brisket or, for the sweet tooths, a gooey chocolate lava cake.

Follow in David Vitale’s footsteps and try pairing Solera with Nutella toast – sounds simple but the flavours just work. You could also sip Solera with salted caramel or a Crème Brûlée.

Best way to enjoy a glass of whisky?

When it comes to sipping a whisky, there are no rules (other than sipping responsibly, of course.) – it comes down to personal preference. Starward whisky, and Australian whisky more broadly, is versatile and approachable which means there are many ways to enjoy it. In terms of glassware, a rocks glass, tumbler or whisky glass are all great options if you’re sipping your whisky neat or on the rocks. An expert tip from our Starward bar team is to add a drop of water to a neat glass of whisky – this opens up the flavours of the palate. There are of course many ways to enjoy Starward whisky in a cocktail – try a Two-Fold & Tonic or, our personal favourite, a (New)Old Fashioned.

Try Starward’s Whisky Today!

Browse our collection of award-winning whiskies – each a reflection of Melbourne in every sip, offering a delightful mix of approachability and complexity. Buy Australian whisky and discover the new world spirit that perfectly matches your palate.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the best Starward whisky for beginners?

A great place to start with Starward is with Two-Fold – which is a wheat and single malt whisky folded together and matured in Australian red wine barrels. It’s approachable and versatile, while also being affordable. It can be enjoyed in so many ways: neat or over ice, in any kind of light ‘spritzy’ cocktail and in a (New) Old Fashioned. Whisky newcomers or people who consider themselves ‘non-whisky’ drinkers could also try a Two-Fold & Tonic.

2. What makes Australian whisky unique compared to other whiskies?

The Australian whisky industry is much younger compared to other whisky-making regions, like Scotland or the United States. Additionally, whisky made in Australia, and Starward whisky especially, isn’t tied to set rules or traditions meaning there’s more freedom to experiment and go further for flavour.

Australia’s diverse climate – which accelerates maturation resulting in pronounced flavours in a shorter time – is another reason our whisky is more unique compared to others globally. Distillers often employ innovative production techniques – in our case, it’s red wine barrel maturation – and use locally sourced ingredients that contribute to these distinct flavour profiles.

3. Is there a specific flavour profile associated with Australian whisky?

There is no set flavour profile for Australian whisky; as the production methods differ between each distillery and their products. In saying this, it is common for Australian distilleries to adopt their own distinct styles. For us, our flavour profile of our whiskies are fruit-forward with a touch of oak, due to our predominant red wine barrel maturation process.

4. What types of casks are commonly used in Australian whisky production?

Australian whisky distilleries use a range of different barrels to mature their whisky, including bourbon, fortified wine and sometimes even beer casks. Here at Starward, we specialise in red wine barrel maturation. Generally speaking, there are two key oak types used during our maturation process: French Oak and American Oak. At Starward, we use both types because we can’t get enough of the unique flavours and nuances each one brings to our whisky.