Starward 2017 Antipodes Cask #9171 Apple Brandy Finish Australian Whisky | 700ML

Detailed Description

A super single cask release here from Australian whisky makers Starward, finished not in its typical favourite Australian red wine barrels, but instead in an apple brandy cask! Just 228 bottles of Antipodes were filled at 50% ABV.

Starward 2017 Antipodes Cask #9171 Apple Brandy Finish Australian Whisky | 700ML Tasting Notes

Nose Refined, delicate. With rare intensity, the first nose reveals especially ethereal aromas of marshmallow, sugared almonds and
orange blossom. These opening notes immediately place the spotlight on the aroma palette’s finesse. Allowed to breathe, liquorice, apricot and quince jelly appear harmoniously alongside a nobly spiced wood (pink peppercorn). This first stage of the tasting is punctuated by stunning notes of lychee and sweet chestnut.

Palate Taut, lively. The deeply sophisticated attack gives an incredibly precise rendition of quince jelly infused with vanilla pods. Staying on the same track, the mid-palate turns eastwards with rosewater, Turkish delight and rice pudding. The heady end of the palate (orange blossom, dahlia, hyacinth) is characterised by notes of grated ginger, dried walnut and precious wood (oak).

Finish Long, invigorating. At the start of the finish, a delicious apple jelly appears alongside smoke rings from a Havana cigar. Next, citrus fruit zests (lemon, grapefruit) add energy to an also heady end of the finish (eucalyptus, ginseng). The beady retro-nasal olfaction highlights the freshness of a deeply original palette of flavours. The empty glass is rich (Vienna coffee, eclair).

Distillery Information

Starward Distillery was established in 2007 in the Qantas Maintenance Hangar at Essendon Airport by David Vitale, and from humble beginnings and in the space of only a decade it’s become the flagship of Australian craft whisky and an Australian whisky icon.