Starward Nova Review

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Starward Nova is the Australian single malt that proves you do not need a Scottish glen to make a whisky taste like honeycomb and red wine. This Starward Nova review is about a 41% Melbourne malt matured in Australian red wine barrels, and the Caskable score is 79 out of 100. It is rich, sweet and almost heat-free, and it has become one of the best-known bottles from the new Australian whisky scene.

If you think of Australia as the land of lager and mining, Starward is a good corrective. It is a serious distillery doing interesting things in an old warehouse in the suburbs, and the whisky shows it.

What is Starward Nova?

Starward is the brand of the New World Whisky Distillery in Port Melbourne, a former aircraft hangar turned distillery, founded by David Vitale in 2007. The company is now part of the Lion drinks group. The distillery uses locally grown barley and, crucially, Australian red wine barrels, which are plentiful in a country with a thriving wine industry. My beginner’s guide to Japanese whisky sits alongside the wider story of New World whisky.

Nova is the malt component of the Two-Fold blend. It is a single malt, matured in Australian red wine barrels, bottled at 41%. The climate in Melbourne is changeable, with hot summers and cold winters, which is hard on barrels and fast on maturation. The whisky matures quickly and takes on strong red wine character.

The red wine casks are the heart of the style. They give the whisky a sweet, fruity, slightly tannic character that is distinct from sherry or port, and that Starward has made its signature.

Starward Nova tasting notes

The nose is a giant block of honeycomb and sherry notes, big and bold but mellow. It is the clearest expression of the Starward style, thanks to strong red wine notes and an almost-total absence of heat. Nova is the malt component of Two-Fold, and you can expect something heavier bodied, richer and rounder.

The nose is sweet and fruity, with red berries, honey and a touch of spice. The palate is rich and rounded, with honeycomb, dark fruit and a gentle oak. It has an almost jammy quality, balanced by a savoury note.

The finish runs medium to long, soft and warm, with hardly any heat. My own score of 79 reflects a delicious, distinctive, and slightly pricey malt with an unusual style. It is not a Scotch lookalike, and it should not be judged like one.

How to drink Starward Nova

Neat, with a few drops of water, in a tulip glass. At 41% it is gentle, and water is optional. A single large cube also works, and I like it slightly chilled. It is a good whisky for a relaxed evening.

It is also a great cocktail whisky. An Old Fashioned made with it is silky and fruity, a Manhattan has a lovely berry note, and a Whiskey Sour is rich and bright. It makes a lovely highball too.

What to know before you buy Starward Nova

Starward has a small range, including Nova, Two-Fold, Fortis and several limited editions. Nova is the core single malt. The bottle is easy to spot, with a bold, minimalist label. The strength is 41%, lower than some of the brand’s other releases.

It pairs well with dark chocolate, duck, grilled lamb and berry desserts. The red wine character suits rich, savoury food, and it works particularly well with barbecue.

Red wine barrels, Australian style

Red wine barrels are not a new idea in whisky, but Starward uses them in a way that is unusual. Instead of finishing the whisky in a wine cask for a few months, it matures the spirit in them from the start. The result is a whisky that tastes of the wine barrel all the way through, rather than a bourbon-cask malt with a coat of wine on top. That integration is what gives Nova its distinctive character.

The wine barrels also come from Australian wineries, which means they are filled with local Shiraz, Cabernet and Pinot. The influence is part of the terroir. It gives the whisky a local identity that is hard to mistake, and it is a good example of how New World distillers are making their own style rather than copying Scotland.

Is Starward Nova worth the money?

At about £51 for 70 cl it is fair. Starward Two-Fold costs about £40 and scores 76. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 sits at about £48 with a score of 79. Kavalan Concertmaster is about £58 and scores 79.

It scores the same as the Quinta Ruban for £3 more and the same as Concertmaster for £7 less. Two-Fold is £11 cheaper and scores three points lower. Nova is a sensible mid-range buy. Check the retailer link before buying.

Alternatives to Starward Nova

Think of these as the neighbours of Starward Nova on the shelf: similar money or similar style, and each with something the others lack.

Who should buy Starward Nova?

Adventurous drinkers who like red-wine-influenced whisky, New World whisky explorers and gift buyers. It is also a good bottle for dessert. If you prefer smoke, look elsewhere.

Starward Nova review verdict

A rich, honeyed, red-wine-barrel Australian single malt with almost no heat and plenty of charm. Caskable score: 79 out of 100.