Starward Single Malt Whisky Solera Matured In Apera Barrels

There’s a time for tradition, and there’s a time to go rogue. Solera was the first whisky where the brand borrowed from tradition and then started asking questions. It left them with a whisky deemed world-class not just by them, but by award judges too.

Solera is not only the name but also a traditional method the Spanish used to age their Sherry and keep it consistent. A fractional amount of each young cask is blended with a more mature spirit. It’s the inspiration for making our Solera, which means there’s still a touch of our first-ever cask in every bottle.

The brand sources every Solera ingredient from just a day’s drive away. A quintessential grain like Australian malted barley was a no-brainer to start with. Then, for a bold, craft flavor, they ferment the barley with brewers’ yeast.

Next - the barrel.

The brand wanted barrels with one hell of a history. Their Apera barrels, an Aussie fortified wine similar to Sherry, have typically held spirit over decades. That’s some seriously flavorful oak.

At first, maturation was a bit of trial and error. The brand was used for Scottish whiskies with age statements over a decade long. But they soon found out that wasn’t Melbourne weather’s style. The wildly varied temperature means whisky works harder in the barrel, absorbing flavor from the wood in a much shorter time.

With this elemental maturation, Solera is a neat reflection of Melbourne; wild weather and all.

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Nose / Bright tropical and orchard fruits, caramel and vanilla.
Palate / Toasty caramel and creme brûlée, banana, figs and sweet spice.
Finish / Juicy and full with a lingering dry spice.