Dark Lark 2023 had a “round and sweet palate, with a nice walnut and cinnamon note and silky tannins”, while the brand’s Tasmania Peated was “big and powerful, with a lovely edge of spices, and crisp fruit and citrus zest”. So that’s the new Starward: it’s not particularly left field but it’s a great mixer. And it certainly appeals to my European palate. Filer said of Starward Fortis: “Caramelised ripe banana and oak on the nose. A sweet palate opening with some fresh apple syrup, a touch of citrus and plenty of pepper.” Stablemate Starward Nova also impressed Filer, who found: “Toasted grain on the nose, dry grass and some poached pear. Warming and smooth mouthfeel, dry and toasted on the palate with some sweeter floral notes, orchard blossoms, and a touch of saline mid-palate.” A whisky distilled in Melbourne is not really as outrageous as it sounds. The city is surrounded by some of Australia's best wine regions and has had a craft brewery scene that can hold its own against any major city in the world. So it was only a matter of time before somebody had the bright idea to create a Melbourne whisky. We may, but are not under any obligation, to release new functionalities and tools or other features for the Service every now and then. Any new functionalities, tools and features shall be part of and governed by the Terms from the moment they are launched and/or available. Further, we reserve the right to modify, change, discontinue the Service, add or remove features, update the Service, change its appearance, temporarily and permanently, at any time, in whole or any part thereof.

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Next up, the panel assessed single malts being made in Europe, including England, Wales, France and Romania. The first went to Bellevoye Orange, a whisky from France that was matured in rum barrels. It was praised by Gorn for its “nice tropical fruit and vanilla” notes. Greifer enjoyed its hint of “orchard fruits” and “lengthy finish”. It stands a chance of success. Tasting Starward Left Field without any ice or mixers is lightly biting into a juicy apple. The fruit flavours burst out from the beginning before leaving a lovely richer red wine feel afterwards. It is a whisky that I would enjoy on its own. It feels more 'English' than Starward's other offerings, reminding me a little of the heavy fruit from my choice for best whisky of 2023, Cotswolds. I can't really give it any higher compliment. David Vitale, Starward Whisky co-founder, said: "We all have a 'special occasion' whisky cabinet which is overflowing with options, but the sharing cabinet is curated. We believe we have an opportunity to elbow out some space and create an alternative to the great whiskies from around the world with an Australian whisky, matured in Australian wine barrels."

If this year’s contest is anything to go by, we can expect to see whisky producers upping their game when it comes to experimentation with casks, climates, and production methods in the future. No partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship is created as a result of your use of the Service.Filer said of the Australasian whiskies: “On the whole, it was really classy, and these were well-integrated products with some emerging unique characters, but respectful of the style. They paid homage to single malts, but definitely brought character to the table without sweeping everything off. Very pleasant.”

Pendelton Midnight was particularly praised by Cheong Thong, who noted: “Apples and stone fruit. Rounded and deliciously fresh. Great complexity, with a long length.” Australian whisky maker Starward has announced a new addition to its range exclusively for the European market. Another Gold also went to Romania’s Carpathian Single Malt Whisky Cognac Cask Finish, enjoyed for its “nice maltiness” on the nose and hints of “chocolate, malt, cereal and some red fruits”. Sixteen Silver medals concluded the flight. Uresti was particularly positive about the European single malts: “You can see the whole category has a solid and consistent quality, and we see they’re getting better, replicating things done in Scotland and Ireland in a good way.” A Gold winner was found in the next flight, India, for Indri Dru Single Malt Indian Whisky. One judge found it to be on “the sweet side, with a good spicy chilli heat, nutmeg, Sichuan pepper, and cinnamon”.STARWARD was born from a simple idea, borrowing knowledge from the past and marrying it with the best of what Australia has to offer this iconic spirit category: its barley, its barrels, and its climate. It is the temperamental climate that allows STARWARD distillers to take advantage of Melbourne’s ‘four seasons in one day’ climate to age their single malt in three years – in ex-sherry casks known as Apera casks – a process that founder David Vitale calls ‘elemental maturing’. We may sell, license, transfer, assign or in any other way dispose of the Service (including Members) to any third party without any notification to you, e.g. (but without limitation) in connection with any reorganization, restructuring, merger or sale, or other transfer of assets. If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Regardless of whether the Service offers the functionality to contribute, you are solely responsible and liable for any content and information that you create, upload, post, publish, link to, duplicate, transmit, record, display or otherwise make available on the Service or to other Members, such as chat messages, text messages, videos, audio, audio recordings, music, pictures, photographs, text and any other information or materials, whether publicly posted or privately transmitted (“Contributions”).