Starward Whisky
About the distillery
Starward is located in Port Melbourne, just ten minutes from the heart of Melbourne, and the distillery has made a name for itself by working differently with Australian whisky. Here, local ingredients, sherry casks, and an urban, active production environment come together in a range that spans from the award-winning Nova to Two-Fold, Honeycomb, Solera, and Fortis. It’s a place for whisky lovers who want to taste modern Australian style with a distinct personality.
History
Starward tells the story of a young, Australian whisky distillery that has quickly established a clear identity. One of the most obvious milestones is the title of Most Awarded Distillery of the Year 2022, which highlights the attention the distillery has received. In the same story, the founder David Vitale later became inducted into the Australian Distillers Hall of Fame. The distillery’s own news section also links newer events to ongoing development, including coverage of Co-Ferment Shiraz and the celebration of medals in connection with World Whisky Day 2025. Taken together, this paints a picture of a distillery that has built its profile through both craftsmanship, recognition, and ongoing experimentation.
Ingredients and production
Starward works with whisky in which both barley and wheat are included in the range, and where the ingredients are sourced close to the distillery. All ingredients are delivered within a day’s drive of Port Melbourne, giving the production a clear local character. The distillery describes itself as a working whisky distillery, so production takes place in a lively environment close to the guests. The most striking approach is the use of sherry casks, which are part of the house’s identity and are connected to both the fruity profile and the way the whisky develops in the Australian climate. At the same time, Starward works with both classic expressions and smaller-scale experiments, giving the range a span from more approachable whiskies to bolder, more distinctive bottlings.
Maturation and cask types
Maturation is closely linked to sherry casks, which leave a pronounced mark on Starward’s whiskies. The distillery also connects Melbourne and the city’s wild weather to its way of thinking about maturation, so that the climate becomes an active part of the whisky rather than merely a setting around it. This combination of cask and surroundings is central to the house style and explains why Starward stands out in the meeting between Australian ingredients and wine-influenced maturation.
Whiskies
The core range, most clearly highlighted, consists of Nova, Honeycomb, and Two-Fold, while Solera and Fortis are also mentioned as part of the house’s whisky universe. Nova is the award-winning single malt, Honeycomb is a double grain whisky, and Two-Fold blends wheat and single malt in a more approachable style. Together, they show a range that includes both consistent signature expressions and room for more experimental projects. This gives Starward a profile where simplicity, fruit, grain, and cask influence come together in different strengths and expressions.
| Whisky | Type / series | Alcohol | Tasting profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova | Single Malt Whisky | 41 % | Award-winning single malt in the core range. | Current; Core range |
| Honeycomb | Double Grain Whisky | 40 % | Double grain whisky in the core range. | Current; Core range |
| Two-Fold | Wheat & Single Malt Whisky | 40 % | A blend of wheat and single malt in the core range. | Current; Core range |
| Solera | Part of the mentioned core range. | Current; Core range | ||
| Fortis | Part of the mentioned core range. | Current; Core range |
Style and tasting profile of the whiskies
Starward’s style can be especially read through three clear tracks: fruit from the sherry casks, grain-and-malt sweetness in the lighter expressions, and a more powerful, spicy intensity in the heavier whiskies. Nova points toward the fruity, wine-influenced side, Two-Fold lifts the soft grain profile, and Fortis hints at a more robust and spicy direction. Together, they give a picture of a whisky family where cask character, sweetness, and intensity play together.
Visit the distillery
It’s possible to visit Starward’s working whisky distillery in Port Melbourne, and the experience is clearly designed as more than a quick stop. Guests can go behind the scenes on guided tours, taste whisky as part of accompanied tastings, and settle in at the distillery bar with cocktails based on Starward whisky. There are also table reservations, so the visit can be planned in advance. The distillery thus describes a destination where production, tastings, and bar experiences are all gathered in one place.
Philosophy and craftsmanship
Starward builds its identity on making whisky differently, but without letting go of craftsmanship. Local ingredients, sourced within a day’s drive, are a concrete part of the value foundation, and the use of sherry casks underscores the will to take a more Australian path than the classic Scottish model. At the same time, both the award-winning core releases and the small projects show that development and experimentation are a fixed part of the philosophy.
Prices and awards
- Most Awarded Distillery of the Year 2022 (2022, Won)
Latest news
David Vitale is inducted into the Australian Distillers Hall of Fame – 2025
Starward’s news section states that David Vitale has stepped into the Australian Distillers Hall of Fame, positioning the honour as a significant milestone for the distillery.
Medals are celebrated on World Whisky Day 2025 – 2025
A news item marks World Whisky Day 2025, focusing on some of the distillery’s newer medals and the continued attention surrounding the house’s whiskies.