I'll admit, Australian whisky wasn't on my radar fifteen years ago. It barely existed. But Starward, operating out of Melbourne's inner suburbs, has done more than most to change that conversation — and this 2016 vintage, bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange, is a compelling argument for why the New World deserves a seat at the table.
This is a single malt bottled at a muscular 57% ABV, which tells you immediately that Starward had confidence in what was sitting in those casks. No hiding behind dilution here. At £84.95, it sits in that interesting middle ground — not an impulse buy, but far from the speculative pricing we see attached to so many limited releases these days. For an exclusive bottling at cask strength, it represents genuine value.
What makes Starward interesting as a distillery is their commitment to working with the Melbourne climate rather than against it. The temperature swings in that part of Victoria are dramatic — hot summers pushing spirit deep into the wood, cooler winters pulling it back out. The result is a maturation cycle that moves at a pace Scottish warehouses simply can't replicate. A whisky laid down in 2016 in Melbourne has done more work with its oak than you might expect from the years alone, which is precisely why age statements can be misleading when you step outside of Scotland.
Tasting Notes
I'd encourage you to approach this one with patience. At 57%, the first pour will need a few minutes to open up in the glass, and a careful addition of water will reward you. Expect the kind of richness and intensity that cask strength Australian malt delivers — this is not a whisky that whispers. The style leans fruit-forward and bold, characteristic of Starward's house approach, with the kind of wood influence that Melbourne's climate extracts with remarkable efficiency.
The Verdict
At 7.7 out of 10, this is a whisky I'd recommend with genuine enthusiasm. It's not flawless — I'd like to know more about the cask selection, and the lack of transparency around specific maturation details leaves a few questions unanswered. But what's in the glass speaks for itself: this is a confident, well-made single malt that punches above its price point. The exclusivity to The Whisky Exchange adds collectibility, but don't let that stop you from opening the bottle. This was made to be drunk, not displayed.
For anyone still sceptical about Australian whisky, this bottling is a useful corrective. Starward aren't trying to be Scottish, and they're better for it. They've found a style that belongs to them — fruit-driven, approachable even at high strength, and unapologetically modern. This 2016 vintage is proof that when they get the selection right, the results are serious.
Best Served
Pour it neat and give it five minutes to breathe. Then add water — a few drops at a time — until the alcohol integrates and the fruit comes forward. At 57%, this whisky genuinely needs it, and there's no shame in that. A half-and-half water ratio would be too much; you want just enough to unlock what the cask strength is holding back. If you're feeling adventurous, this has the backbone for a proper Highball with good soda water and a strip of orange peel — the citrus will complement Starward's house character beautifully.
