Following the release of its first Tawny single malt in 2019 (which was awarded the Best Worldwide Whisky at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2020), Starward has now unveiled its next iteration: Tawny #2.
Similarly to Tawny #1, this whisky was fully matured in Tawny fortified wine casks (both fresh and charred). The distillers then threw in some puncheon and hogshead barrels for fun, which allowed it to showcase the vibrant tropical notes of the 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 cozy spices deliver a slow and lingering finish.
“Tawny #2 had a reputation to uphold, following in from the successful release of Tawny #1,” said Starward’s Head Distiller, Sam Slaney. “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.”
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.”
Starward will be releasing Tawny #2 via a ballot. The ballot will open to the public for registration beginning February 18th and the first draw of the ballot will take place on March 1st. All successful applicants will be notified via email. Following the ballot, there will be a select number of retailers who will stock some bottles of Tawny #2 beginning March 15th.
Each bottle of Starward Tawny #2 will retail for $149.
For more information, head over Starward’s official website.
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