Starward Octave Barrels finishes the Melbourne distillery's malt in small octave casks — approximately 50 litres, less than one-quarter the size of a standard barrel. The dramatically increased surface-area-to-volume ratio accelerates wood extraction, adding extra richness and oak character.
The small cask finishing intensifies the wood influence. The octave casks provide more vanilla, tannin and dark fruit than standard barrels in the same time period. On Starward's naturally rich malt, this creates a whisky of considerable oak intensity.
Starward Octave Barrels is an interesting expression that demonstrates how cask size affects flavour. The small cask finishing adds genuine richness, and the Starward malt provides a solid foundation. An oak-forward Melbourne malt.
