Starward Negroni (70cl, 32%)

A ready-to-serve bottled Negroni made with red wine barrel-aged Australian whisky, blended with locally sourced sweet vermouth and bitter orange liqueur, then bottled at 32% ABV in a 700ml format. The whisky forms the backbone of the drink, replacing the traditional gin base. It is produced by Starward Distillery in Port Melbourne, where fluctuating temperatures accelerate interaction between spirit and oak. The whisky is matured exclusively in Australian red wine barrels. The aroma leads with Maraschino cherries, bright orange citrus and anise, with a herbal undertone. The palate is juicy and fruit-forward, with ripe orange flesh and sour cherry, then lemon rind and cassia bark. The finish is long and drying, with Jaffa chocolate and orange zest.