Utilising centuries of knowledge and tradition, yet not restricted by it, Starward is the brainchild of David Vitale who set out to harness the very best of Australia's barley, barrels and climate to create the ultimate new world whisky. Years of experimentation, adjustment, trial and even more adjustment has created Starward, a whisky that will challenge your perceptions of what Whisky can be. Artisan Victorian barley is sourced to begin the bespoke process which ends up in aged Australian Apera casks that have been re-coopered, re-toasted and re-sized. All of which help create a Whisky of smoothness, sweetness and unparalleled complexity.

Australian grown lemon myrtle, coriander seed and orange peel. Oris Root and Macedonian Juniper. Distiled in Australia.

Taking inspiration from those great Tennessee Whiskeys and Kentucky Bourbons comes Australias first version of a sour mash whiskey. Using a classic grain bill of corn, rye and malted barley, sourced entirely from Western Australia, our full flavoured sour mash is bursting with tones of vanilla, caramel and hazelnuts. This mixed grain whiskey is richly textured with elegant spices and fruit with a smooth creamy finish. Each barrel is hand bottled and numbered in keeping with our small batch tradition.

Lark Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky is proudly unique in character and style. Entirely made by hand, Lark consistently distills some of the worlds most prized Whiskies, with no more than 100 litres at a time. Distilled in locally crafted copper-pot stills, this exceptional classic cask is the flagship product of the Lark Distillery. This Whisky is best described as a complex mix of vanilla-caramel-maple syrup with some slightly spicy, floral notes and gentle hints of fresh pepper on a flavourful lingering finish. Excellent neat or with a drop or two of filtered water.

Hellyers Road Distillery, situated on the picturesque northern Tasmanian coast line, was established in 1997 and is Australia's largest distiller of Australian single malt whisky. Named after Henry Hellyer who was one of the first explorers to set foot in the interior north of the then Van Dieman's Land. This 10 Year Old single malt whisky is Hellyers flagship product and is distilled from Tasmanian grown malted barley, pure rainwater and yeast. American White Oak barrels are used to mature this bespoke malt that delivers a smooth and balanced taste.

STARWARD began with a simple idea; imagine a whisky unshackled from tradition, one which borrows from the past and marries it with the best Australia has to offer. STARWARD Two-Fold represents a landmark achievement for modern Australian whisky. Bringing together two iconic Australian grains; wheat and malted barley, STARWARD has created a distinctly approachable, well rounded whisky fully matured in Australian red wine barrels.

Co-created by one of Scotland’s most awarded Master Distillers, Jim McEwan, together with Cape Byron Distillery Co-founder and distiller Eddie Brook are two new Australian takes on a classic Scottish single malt. Many readers will already know of Jim McEwan who has more than fifty years of experience in the whisky business, having worked at Bowmore for 38 years, before overseeing the rebirth of Bruichladdich and most recently helping to get new Islay distillery, Ardnahoe, off the ground. Two editions are on offer: A Chardonnay barrelled limited edition, and this, the Cape Byron 'Original', aged in Scotland's traditional vessel of choice: American oak x-Bourbon casks. Says Brook, “They go together like a match made in heaven. [The whisky is] not overly dominated by the oak, it’s letting the spirit sing, and we’re seeing this marriage.” What partly accounts for the distinctive style is that the pair have resisted the temptation to use smaller barrels to ‘accelerate’ the ageing process. It's the opposite approach of most Australian distillers. “...We’ve got this climate that gives us faster maturation. Now that’s great, but it can also get too much, you can get too much tannin and then over-oaking in your whisky, ” Brook explains. "To avoid this, we only mature in full format barrels, between 200 to 300 litres in size". Specially designed warehousing facilities further offset Byron’s temperature extremes. According to McEwan, another factor is the distillery's proximity to the coast. “Walk down the barrel room... you’re getting that marine character and influence coming through" he says. "That moisture is falling on the oak staves, and slowly but surely, there’ll be a residue of salt and eventually as the whisky moves in and out, as the temperature increases, the alcohol will expand and it will touch the salt, and pull it back, and that brings a unique marine freshness to the spirit – quite different from anything else...” No surprise that McEwan reckons fans of Bruichladdich might taste some similarities in the Cape Byron spirit. “They’re not dissimilar. There’s no peat, [Eddie’s] using American oak, I used a lot of American oak Bourbon casks as well. I’ve used wine casks – and you’ve got all the wine casks there. There’s a similarity there between what I was doing in Islay and what Eddie’s doing here." As for the taste? Can't say there are many like this - either here or abroad - but you can appreciate why McEwen draws comparisons with Bruichladdich. Cape Byron's Original is a creamy, near voluptuous malt that defies its age. Peaches and cream come through with sweet barley and shortbread on the nose. The co-mingling of dried mango and juicy malt with the Bourbon vanilla aspects is nicely done, and there's a spicy edge adding vibrancy. At the finish, more peaches and cream, dried mango and a little grilled pineapple, pepper and coastal freshness develop. It's a whisky less about overt complexity, all about generous mouthfeel and precocious flavour. No doubt that equation will change over time. Right now, the creative forces behind the project have guaranteed one of the more compelling Aussie releases in recent years. Matured for three years in 200 litre ex-Buffalo Trace Bourbon casks. 47% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Batch 001 tasted. Notes from the producers... The colour of a Byron Bay sunset. The palate offers soft vanilla, creme brulee and biscotti characters, layered over distinct notes of pear, coconut and buttery macadamia.

The finest Australian Botanicals create a mellow canvas for lovers of premium spirits, this Unique Spirit from Vantage capture the true spirit of the nation by using Australian lemon myrtle paired with Tasmanian mountain pepperberries and mandarin. It is one of the best aperitif or a versatile cocktail base.

The unfiltered rye allows you to experience the grain in its truest form - spicy, complex, with a light chocolatey essence. Full bodied and silky in texture, you’ll get a next level vodka that brings character and layers of flavour to any drink.

XXII the connoisseurs' range from 23rd Street Distillery explores rare territory with our signature adventurous spirit. This 100% Australian Single Malt Whisky has been patiently biding its time. Australian Pale Malt, distilled in our towering twin copper pots and aged in first-fill ex-Bourbon American oak. Matured to an assertive, balanced complexity over four Riverland summers. Due to its Southern hemisphere birth, swirl anti-clockwise in the glass to waken its slumber and unlock sensory treasures including honey, tangerine, cardamom and brioche.