Starward Nova
- Price Range
- $90-$120
- Style
- Single malt
- Age
- 10 years
- Country
- Australia
- ABV
- 41%
- Volume
- 700ml
- Appearance
- Bright amber with a coppery orange tint. Slow, oily legs on the glass hint at the wine cask's influence on texture.
- Nose
- Red wine influence with cherry and raspberry, honeyed malt, vanilla toffee, and subtle oak with hints of spice and dried fruit. Fresh red berries, cherry and raspberry compote, lead the way, courtesy of the ex-red-wine barriques (typically Australian Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon casks) Starward is known for. Underneath sits honeyed malt and vanilla toffee, with a faint whisper of oak spice and dried fig. It's a noticeably fruitier and lighter in profile than a Scotch sherry-cask malt, with younger, brighter fruit rather than the drier, raisin character you'd get from a European oloroso cask.
- Palate
- Smooth and approachable with red berries and stone fruit, balanced sweet malt, gentle oak spice, vanilla, and a touch of milk chocolate. A faint nuttiness, almost macadamia-like, creeps in toward the back, a nod to the whiskey's Australian roots.
- Finish
- Medium length with those red fruit berries lingering before the soft oak, dark chocolate, and a pleasant warmth spice that slowly fades rather than dropping off.
- Impression
- If you have tried this whisky what did you think?Not for meI liked itI loved it!
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Impression
Flavour Profile
Review
Starward Nova represents Melbourne whisky-making at its finest, embracing Australian red wine barrel maturation to create something genuinely unique.Rather than importing ex-Bourbon or ex-Sherry casks, Starward matures its whiskey in local red wine barriques sourced from nearby Victorian wineries, and Melbourne's famously erratic 'four seasons in a day' climate pushes the spirit through those casks faster than the steadier cellars of Scotland ever could. The result is a young whiskey that tastes considerably more mature than its age suggests, with the wine cask influence beautifully integrated rather than dominating. We really enjoyed this expression - it delivers exactly what it promises with the wine cask influence beautifully integrated throughout. The red berry and fruit notes are pronounced but not overwhelming, working harmoniously with the malty sweetness and gentle oak spice. What impressed us most was the balance achieved at this price point - everything comes together cohesively, making it very approachable yet interesting enough to keep you coming back. For those exploring Australian whiskies, this is an excellent starting point that showcases the distinct character of local production. At around $100, it represents genuine value and makes a thoughtful gift for anyone curious about whisky beyond the Scottish tradition. We'd happily recommend this to friends.
- Two Whiskey Guys, 2020
Food Pairing
This whisky pairs beautifully with:
Occasion
A relaxed evening with friends, or introducing someone to Australian whisky. Great as a gift for those exploring craft whiskies.
Right for you?
If you enjoy fruity, wine-cask-influenced malts, or you're whiskey-curious about Australian distilling and want a low-risk, high-reward starting point, Nova delivers. It's also an easy, well-priced gift for anyone exploring craft whiskey beyond the usual Scotch/Bourbon path.