Starward Two-Fold Double Grain Review
In-Depth Review
Australia isn’t known as a bastion of whisky making. In fact, wine is the alcoholic beverage most associated with the great down under. But that hasn’t stopped the Melbourne based Starward Distillery from creating a name for itself in the international market with a collection of single malts and blends that have taken the awards circuit by storm. Just last year, Starward won more awards than any other distillery at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, capturing 12 double golds and becoming “The Most Awarded Distillery of the Year” in the process.
So Starward is legit. But can you actually get their products? Yes. Production at Starward is actually quite large, with Starward able to produce up to 250,000 liters of alcohol a year. So you probably can get Starward near you. But should you? I will be running through a few of their core expressions over the next few days as I was work through a collection of their Two-Fold Double Grain, their Solera Single Malt, and Nova Single Malt.
We will first start with the Two-Fold Double Grain, a whisky that blends the base spirit from Nova alongside a wheat whisky and after aging both in fresh red wine barrels from local wineries. This Two-Fold clocks in at 40% ABV and is likely colored and chill-filtered. But at under $30, can you complain? Let’s dive in.
Age: Non-Age Stated
ABV: 40%
Cask: Fresh red wine casks
MSRP: $30
Distillery Name: Starward
Review Date: 12/26/22
Color: Straw
Nose: On a fresh pour, you’re greeted with a bright vanilla note that comes off a bit harsh and brittle. But as it settles, it gets softer, more grain forward and invitingly sweet. Then it’s loads of green apple, peaches, lemon zest, and creamy white chocolate covered almonds. After the initial burst of vanilla, the nose settles nicely in the glass.
Palate: On the palate, there’s more of the same, sweet inviting character found on the nose. The first thing you notice is the soft, silky mouthfeel. Then on the front of the palate it’s notes of raspberries and cream (almost like a raspberry yogurt), rosé wine, strawberries, and tropical fruits. The tropical notes are lovely – with all that fruit making it an enjoyable sip only let down by the low 40% ABV which leads it quickly to the finish. But what is there is nice.
Finish: Short finish that leaves you with a sweet, gentle vanilla cream on buttered French toast finish that disappears quickly. Very gentle hug.
Final Thoughts: This Starward Two-Fold Double Grain surprised me with its bright, fruity, and gentle character. This is the kind of whisky that is great to sip on a warm summer afternoon where the whisky takes a back seat to good conversation and company. It remains very mellow throughout with the red wine barrels adding enough interest to keep it fun and interesting. Two-Fold is never complex but incredibly crushable. This is an easy buy at under $30 and would be a great whisky to bring to a party where the drinks aren’t the main attraction and you want a pour that anyone can enjoy.
