Starward embraces peat in new release

Starward Whisky has continued its pattern of innovation with a new release called Unexpeated, which brings together new world Australian whisky with old world Scottish heritage.

Unexpeated is a new red wine barrel aged Australian single malt from Starward, which has been finished in barrels that have been drenched in peated whisky from some of Islay’s finest distilleries.

Production Director, Sam Slaney, said this latest release from Starward’s Projects Program was unlike any whisky the distillery has ever produced.

“We sourced freshly disgorged, peated whisky soaked barrels from Islay’s remote distilleries and began to experiment. Some of the barrels used date as far back as 1968, but once we brought them over to Australia, they were given a whole new lease of life.

“What we’ve ended up with is a unique Starward single malt whisky with an Islay maritime peat character never tasted in any of our releases, Unexpeated really is a collision of old world and the new.”

Tasting notes for the whisky say that “for the first time, whisky drinkers will taste coastal peat and smoky flavours in Starward’s signature fruit-forward and juicy whisky. On the tongue, subtle sweet peat melds with red wine barrels, red berries, sticky golden peaches and cocoa nibs. There is distinct peat in the aroma and a smoldering oak dry finish”.

Starward Founder, David Vitale, said: “We’ve never been afraid to try something different and this release is a very Starward twist to a traditional style and it’s certainly living up to its name. The key for us is always trying to make something deliciously sippable and brilliantly mixable.

“In each sip of Unexpeated our juicy tropical flavours meet a coastal peat smoke that’s come direct from Islay’s famed distilleries.

“It pairs beautifully with smoky dishes like trout or grilled eggplant. Try it as a new take on a dirty Martini with oysters, or after dinner with a strong blue cheese like Roquefort. It’s a flavour sensation.”

Unexpeated is available from August as a limited release from Starward and is available in a 700ml bottle for RRP $149.