Epic Starward Whisky Tawny #2 Release Event

Written by David Hagger on 22 February 2022.

Starward Whisky have just released Tawny #2 and we attended an epic launch event at Starward Distillery to celebrate this new world standout whisky. Following the successful release of our first Tawny single malt in 2019 (which was awarded the Best Worldwide Whisky at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2020), the team at Starward, have released the next iteration; Tawny #2. At an epic event at Starward Distillery in Port Melbourne where we were given a tour of the Distillery, a special tasting sampling the components of Tawny #2 and making a comparison with Tawny #1, and we enjoyed a top notch lunch featuring Tawny #2 inspired cocktails paired with food by local 14 Days of Cheese.

Tawny #2 takes an amazing whisky and evolves it into something even greater in our opinion.

As with everything they do, Starward always look to try something different even when they have the blueprint for the ‘best’. Tawny #2 is no exception. Like Tawny #1, this whisky was fully matured in Tawny fortified wine casks (both fresh and charred). Their distillers then threw in some puncheon and hogshead barrels for fun, which allowed them to showcase the vibrant tropical notes of their Starward spirit.

Alongside these welcomed tropical notes, Tawny #2 immediately gives way to dried raisins and toasted oak on the nose. Brown sugar and rich dried fruits come through on the palate, as cosy spices deliver a slow and lingering finish. Nan's fruit cake nuances shine through in Tawny #2. I personally found Tawny #2 to be such an elegant well-rounded whisky.

Tasting the components of Tawny #2 from different barrels was special.

Commenting on this latest release is Starward’s Head Distiller, Sam Slaney “Tawny #2 had a reputation to uphold, following in from the successful release of Tawny #1. Although, our team of distillers did still want to experiment, so we played with the barrel size this time around, to see how much of our signature spirit profile would come through with full maturation in the Tawny barrels. Although we took the prize for Best Worldwide Whisky in 2020 with our Tawny #1, we believe that we could have the new ‘best’ whisky on our hands, but we will let those lucky enough to try it, be the judge.”

Our tour and tasting was a highlight, followed by lunch.

Remarking on Starward’s Projects program, Starward Founder, David Vitale, said “Our Projects series provides an opportunity to play. The team put away some larger format Tawny hogsheads and one puncheon back in 2015, which our blenders have been eagerly watching mature, to add more depth and spirit character to the whisky when they were finally ready ... and we’re ecstatic with the result. We have an incredible abundance of quality wine barrels in Australia, even down to the size and varietal, there’s still so much to play with. We’re lucky to have winemakers on our team, who have a deep connection to these barrels, it helps to create something special.”

Amazing Starward Tawny #2 compressed watermelon, black onion, burrata, burnt orange, paired with Melbourne Highrise Tawny #2, Sherry, Ginger, Mint. Absolutely top notch modern dining and new world drinking.

Starward Tawny #2 Glazed and Smoked Duck breast was melt in your mouth, served with Charred Leek, Aphrodite Galytori and Tawny Jus. Paired with the "Go Figure" Cocktail of Tawny #2 with fig, walnut, orange bitters.

 Dessert was "Something Sweet and Unexpected' ice cream.