The Only Real Airport Whisky - Starward Single Malt Scotch

[Renato1]

The reason this Australian whisky is the only real Airport whisky is that it is made at an old hanger at Essendon Airport fields, Melbourne.

My nephews and niece bought it for my birthday. I have a couple of dozen different bottles of single malt Scotch, and I really don't much like drinking them straight, particularly the Islay ones. Instead I nearly always have them with PepsiMax.

So I was quite surprised when I drank the Starward, I found it extremely smooth - smoother than any Highland Scotch I've tried - and quite liked drinking it straight. Then I added PepsiMax, and it was heaven!

I had seen the owner of the company that makes Starward interviewed on TV. He said that aging whisky in vats for two years at Essendon, was equivalent to aging it six or eight years in Scotland, because of Melbourne's variable weather. This would cause a problem with labelling, as some countries require a minimum aging of three years, and wouldn't accept the equivalency.

Anybody else tried it?
Regards,
Renato

 

[Eija]

Yes, brought one bottle a few years ago...not for me.

 

[Renato1]

Yes, brought one bottle a few years ago...not for me.

Fair enough. It certainly wouldn't suit people who are into what has been described as "the Real Man's" whiskey, like the Islay ones (Talisker, Caol Isla etc), or the other heavier ones like GlenFiddich and Oban. My favourite till this one came along was Glengoyne.
Regards,
Renato

 

[AisleSeat]

Wait 'til you have Boatrocker Brewery's Ramjet, an imperial stout aged in Starward barrels. Heaven.

 

[RB]

You lost me when you said PepsiMax when discussing whisky

 

[darktiger]

Not sure if OP was kidding or not about the Pepsi. Hilarious nonetheless.

 

[JohnK]

Not sure if OP was kidding or not about the Pepsi. Hilarious nonetheless.

Why? I like drinking scotch but don't like drinking it straight. It goes down quite well with Coke Zero or PepsiMax or even Soda water.

Actually same goes for the other 2-3 spirits I drink. You don't need to be a connoisseur to enjoy any spirit.

 

[Renato1]

You lost me when you said PepsiMax when discussing whisky

Not sure if OP was kidding or not about the Pepsi. Hilarious nonetheless.

I wan't kidding.

PepsiMax and Single Malt Whisky, Blended Whisky, Blended Signle Malts, Irish Whiskey or Bourbon Whiskey are among my favourite drinks. Coke No Sugar will do in a pinch when I have no PepsiMax, as was the case in Bali last year.

I can drink them straight - and usually do when I first open the bottle - but enjoy them more with PepsiMax.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

Why? I like drinking scotch but don't like drinking it straight. It goes down quite well with Coke Zero or PepsiMax or even Soda water.

Actually same goes for the other 2-3 spirits I drink. You don't need to be a connoisseur to enjoy any spirit.

I'm a connoisseur of PepsiMax and Single Malt Scotches.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[opusman]

I went to a SMWS function at the new Starward distillery a couple of years ago. Was actually very impressed with it. A very nice drop without the enormous premium in price most Australian whisky seems to attract.

 

[Renato1]

I went to a SMWS function at the new Starward distillery a couple of years ago. Was actually very impressed with it. A very nice drop without the enormous premium in price most Australian whisky seems to attract.

Very interesting, thanks.
Renato

 

[RoMambai]

Tried this for the first time at Bad Frankie off Smith Street in Fitzroy and loved it. Ending up sticking it with it all night and will look to get a bottle now I'm back in CBR. It's very quaffable.

 

[Renato1]

Tried this for the first time at Bad Frankie off Smith Street in Fitzroy and loved it. Ending up sticking it with it all night and will look to get a bottle now I'm back in CBR. It's very quaffable.

If one typically likes Islay type Scotch whiskies, the I doubt one would be too impressed with Starward.

But being more partial to the lighter single malts - I too find it very quaffable.

I noticed the other day at IGA Liquor that the price for the two Starwards has gone up from $84 and $89 a bottle to just over $100.
Regards,
Renato