Starward – Stout Cask (70cl, 52%)

An Australian single malt from Starward, distilled in 2018 and bottled in 2023 at 52%. The whiskies first matured in red wine casks and small Apera casks, were then vatted together and spent a further 18 months in imperial stout casks from Brick Lane brewery. Those casks first held bourbon and then stout from the Trilogy of Fear beer series. It belongs to the experimental Starward Projects range and is non-chill-filtered with no added colouring. The nose shows tropical fruit, creamy vanilla and sweet malt, with chocolate and maple syrup behind. The palate is full and creamy, with toasted malt, vanilla, dark chocolate, cherries and banana. The finish is long and warm, with dark chocolate and sweet malt, later peach, nutmeg and chocolate pastry.