Starward
Australian Single Malt Whisky Launches in US
By FBWorld Team
Australian
whisky brand Starward officially launches in the U.S. today,
introducing Americans to a distinct new style of whisky, utilizing
the unique climate, terroir and raw materials of Australia.
The first expression available in the U.S. is Starward Nova,
an Australian single malt whisky matured in Australian red wine
barrels.
Nova
is a unique whisky which draws influence from the vibrancy of
"big red" wines from southeastern Australia. The distillery
team sources barrels from local wineries that previously held
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
This
proximity allows the team to maximize the flavor of the wine
permeated into the oak, lending a vibrant red ochre color to
the final liquid. The full maturation in red wine barrels creates
a light and fruity whisky with a long and spicy finish, similar
to some of the country's award-winning wines.
Since
its Australian debut in 2016, Nova has received numerous accolades
including two gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits
Competition for both the "World's Best Craft Distilled
Whisky" and the "Best Australian Single Malt Whisky".
Starward was also recently named "Best Australian Whisky
Innovator" from Icons of Whisky and crowned "Best
Australian Single Malt" by the World Whiskies Awards in
2016 and 2017.
Starward
utilizes the dynamic temperatures for which Melbourne is famous
to accelerate the whisky maturation process in an approach known
as Elemental Maturation or more colloquially "a Melbourne
year". The result is a long, distinct and spicy finish
that creates a complex single malt from a relatively young whisky.
David
Vitale founded the distillery in 2007 in his hometown of Melbourne.
After working as business manager of a prominent Tasmanian distillery
for several years, Vitale wanted to make an accessible whisky
that was representative of Melbourne's cosmopolitan character.
His passion for food, wine and beer led to Starward's original
purpose of being an easy drinking whisky designed to pair well
with food.
"Starward
began with a simple vision: to make a distinctly Australian
whisky we could offer the world with pride," said David
Vitale, Founder of Starward Whisky. "I have long dreamed
of being able to share our whisky in the U.S. It is a genuinely
exciting time for the team as we take the next step on our Starward-bound
journey."