Whiskeywhisky
Australian Whisky
Australian whisky emerged as a serious category primarily from Tasmania, where the cool, wet climate resembles Scotland. Sullivan's Cove's 2014 World's Best Single Malt win at the IWSC established Australia internationally. Starward, based in Melbourne, chose an entirely different approach: red wine barrel aging to create a distinctly Australian flavor profile.
Flavor Profile
Starward: fruity, wine-influenced, unlike anything from the Northern Hemisphere. The Australian red wine barrel character imparts unique fruit and tannin profile. Sullivan's Cove: slower Tasmanian maturation, more traditional single malt character.
Key Producers
Premium
Starward Two-Fold
$35-45Premium
Sullivan's Cove French Oak
$100+Australian red wine barrels
Starward Nova
Melbourne) (premium$45-65No comprehensive national standard. State-by-state regulation. Generally follows international single malt conventions for premium expressions.