We head over to Australia for this Starward 2016 single malt whisky. It was bottled for The Nectar in Belgium and Kirsch in Germany.
The entrance label says matured in an American oak crimson wine barrel however in the event you learn the again label in addition they state it was given an additional end in a charred American oak hogshead. Normally the end is getting extra consideration, however right here it’s the opposite means spherical. No particulars in regards to the ageing durations although.
We put it towards a second Starward 2016 bottled completely for La Maison du Whisky, from a first fill Apera cask – Australia’s fortified wine which they used to name sherry till 2010, made in a solera and normally from palomino grapes. We already had a second fill Apera launch bottled for TWE.
Starward 4 yo 2016 (58,9%, OB for Germany + Belgium 2021, Barossa Valley crimson wine barrel #6850, 396 btl.)
Nostril: heavy on the oak at first (cedar wooden, grass) with a lightweight whiff of estery glue. Later it turns to vanilla marshmallow, just a little coconut cream and a really jammy sort of fruits (peaches and apricots above all). Not unhealthy nevertheless it feels nearer to a grain whisky up to now. Cinnamon, hints of leather-based. A little bit of water helps to spotlight the fruity notes.
Mouth: now the fruitiness comes out much more. There’s mango, grilled pineapple and berries. Nonetheless a heavy dose of minty contemporary oak. Later additionally ginger and grapes. Hints of aniseed. Water is admittedly essential right here, it makes it loads creamier and fruitier.
End: nonetheless fruity, however exhibiting extra leather-based and a few dry leafy notes within the very finish.
There’s extra charred American oak character than crimson wine, I’d say, and the fragrant, fruity core is very nice. It fails to return out completely at full power although, so water is a should. Rating with out water: 84/100. Nonetheless accessible from a number of retailers, together with The Bonding Dram.
Starward 5 yo 2016 (52,4%, OB for La Maison du Whisky 2021, first fill Apera cask #1870, 240 btl.)
Nostril: comparable within the sense that it nonetheless reveals this woody aspect. Apricots and oranges once more, now with added milk chocolate, latte and extra cinnamon. Wee hints of herbs.
Mouth: performs in a darker register than the crimson wine barrel. Fairly some oak char now, with menthol and bitter herbs. Grapefruit peels, bay leaf, cedar wooden and juniper. Nutty notes, primarily walnuts and bitter almond. Drying tannins, herbs and gingerbread whereas it fades.
End: fairly lengthy, actually dry with ginger and cinnamon, in addition to some tobacco leaves.
Whereas the German / Belgian cask discovered a sure stability between wooden and fruits, that is out of bounds for me. Wooden juice. Nonetheless accessible from LMdW. Rating: 76/100
