Learn about Whisky

Learn about the rich heritage of Starward Whisky, the craft behind each bottle, and tips on tasting, serving, and pairing our award-winning Australian whisky.

Is your whisky vegan?

All of our whiskies are vegan friendly, except for Starward X HER Honeycomb.

What is the difference between Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, and Rye whisky?

There's a number of differences between the types of whisky. Scotch is made in Scotland and, you guessed it, Irish whisky is made in Ireland. Bourbon is made using corn and most popularly produced in the U.S.A. Rye whisky uses rye to create the spiri

What is the best whisky for beginners?

Starward's Two-Fold whisky is among the most popular whiskies of choice for beginners. This is because it is a double grain spirit that folds together Australian wheat and barley giving it a lighter and more approachable flavour profile in comparison

How should whisky be stored?

We recommend that all of our whiskies are stored away from direct sunlight, in a cool, dry place.

What does the term 'single malt' mean?

As far as whisky lingo goes, 'single malt' is a term used to describe a whisky that has been made at one distilery using one type of grain. An example of this is Starward Nova, which spirit was made entirely using Australian barley.

How should I serve/drink my whisky?

It really depends on your personal preference and the characteristics you like in a whisky. Luckily, all of our whiskies are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in cocktails, paired with food, neat or on ice. We just have one rule, drink it how y

Why is it spelled 'whisky' instead of 'whiskey'?

From the ingredients we use to the way we spell, Starward is 'whisky' from down under.

Where are the red wine barrels sourced from?

Our wine barrels are predominately sourced from the Barossa Valley and Yarra Valley which are both famed wine regions, within a day’s drive from our Port Melbourne Distillery.

Why does Starward use red wine barrels?

Victoria has an abundance of wineries in our own backyard, many of whom are making great Australian shirazes, cabernets and pinot noirs. Accessibility to these barrels means that we are able to receive them within hours of being emptied of their red

What does Starward do with barrels after they are used?

It depends on the barrel and the life it has already lived at the winery. Some may have a few more years in them, while for others we might send off to a partner with a brewery.

Has Starward whisky won any awards?

We're proud to say that Starward's whiskies have won dozens of awards over the years. In 2023, we were notably coined as 'The Most Awarded Distillery of the Year' at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (a.k.a - 'The Oscars' of the spirit

Are Starward whiskies available outside of Australia?

Yes - Starward whiskies are available in the United States, Europe, United Kingom and across the Asia Pacific.

How long is Starward Whisky aged for?

Just like the famous saying goes, 'Age is just a number'... and we firmly believe that here at Starward. All of Starward's core range whiskies have been aged for a minimum of three years, and that's because we're blessed with Melbourne's wild weather

Do you use colours in your whisky?

There are no added colourings (colours) or flavourings in our core whiskies - Two-Fold, Nova, Solera, Fortis) following distillation and maturation. No detectable levels of allergens (gluten, nuts and dairy) in these products also.

Is your whisky gluten free?

Is your whisky gluten free? There is a very low likelihood of any traces of gluten remaining in any of Starward's whiskies due to our double distillation process. We are in the process of confirming this via a laboratory analysis and will have th

How to Store Bottled Cocktails After Opening

At Starward, we want to ensure that you can enjoy your bottled cocktails at their best, even after you've opened them. Here are our simple guidelines for storing your bottled cocktails:. Our bottled cocktails are shelf-stable, meaning refrigeration i