Starward – Barossa Shiraz Octave Barrels Single Malt Australian Whisky (70cl, 48%)

This is a single malt from the Australian distillery Starward, in a 70cl bottle at 48% ABV. It is the latest release in Starward's experimental Project Series. The whisky was matured in 100 litre octave barrels that had just held The Octavius, a Barossa Valley Shiraz from the Yalumba winery. Yalumba casks were central to Starward's first batch. In such small barrels the whisky worked strongly with the American oak and took on character from the wine. The notes describe red fruits, raisins, ripe peach, caramel and aniseed on the nose, then dark forest fruits on a smooth, intense palate, ending on toasted marshmallow.