Starward – Vitalis (70cl, 52%)

Vitalis is a limited anniversary edition from the Australian distillery Starward, created in 2022 for its 15th year. The name refers to founder David Vitale and the Latin root of his surname, meaning life. Six parcels of whisky, aged between four and ten years, were chosen from the barrel store in Port Melbourne and married together. Alongside Starward's signature Australian red wine casks, they include tawny, bourbon, rum and first- and second-fill Apera casks. It is bottled at 52% in a 70cl bottle, non-chill-filtered and without added colour. The nose opens with soft toffee, then raisins, pineapple in chocolate and cedar. The palate is full and viscous, with dried fruit, red currants and lightly roasted coffee. The finish is long, oily and creamy.