Starward Unexpeated is Melbourne's take on peated whisky — using lightly peated barley and finishing in Australian red wine barrels. The combination of peat smoke and red wine fruit creates a flavour profile that bridges Scottish peated tradition and Starward's Australian identity. The 'Unexpeated' name acknowledges that peat is not what you expect from a Melbourne distillery.
The light peating is well-judged. The smoke is present but gentle — more seasoning than main course — and the red wine cask finishing adds a berry fruitiness that complements the peat beautifully. The result is a peated whisky that is both recognisably smoky and distinctly Starward.
Starward Unexpeated is a successful experiment in cross-cultural whisky-making. The combination of Scottish-style peat and Australian red wine casks creates something that could not have been made anywhere else. For drinkers seeking peated whisky with a difference, Starward's Melbourne perspective is both refreshing and delicious.
