Starward X Lagavulin: Australia meets Islay

Petra Milde |

An Australian single malt with a smoky finish in Lagavulin casks

 

The fact that the Australian Starward Distillery is extremely keen to experiment is demonstrated not least by a special release: Following the distillery's characteristic maturation in red wine casks, the  Australian whisky got a finish in Scottish whisky casks in which peated Islay whisky was previously stored. "Starward in Collaboration with Lagavulin" the bottle label tells us.

Although the current press release does not comment on the duration of the basic maturation in the Australian red wine casks, it does reveal that the whisky spent a final 18 months in the former Lagavulin casks. "The Starward X Lagavulin combines tropical notes of nectarine and grilled pineapple with strong, earthy coastal peat and a smouldering, dry oak finish," we learn.

A total of 2,000 bottles of the single malt were bottled. The whisky was bottled without chill-filtering and in its natural colour at 48% ABV.

Official tasting notes for the Starward X Lagavulin

Nose: Nectarine, a hint of peat, pineapple and a hint of iodine.

Palate: Initially very tropical, roasted, grilled pineapple, black tea and a hint of salt.

Finish: Drying ash, followed by tropical fruits and a hint of oak.

 

Images: Starward Distillery

About the author Petra Milde

Petra Milde is a freelance author of books and specialist writing about spirits and food. She has been supporting the Whisky.de editorial team since 2015 and creates informative and entertaining articles in the news section.

Besides her writing work, she moderates tastings and can be met at spirits fairs, both behind the stands and in front of them, looking for new products and interesting people to talk to.

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