Starward (New) Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail
Starward (New) Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail is a distillery-batched 500mL Old Fashioned at 32% ABV (64 proof), built on Starward's award-winning Australian single malt whisky. The house bartenders balanced their red-wine-barrel whisky with in-house bitters, native wattleseed, zesty orange bitters, and demerara syrup — an Australian twist on the world's most famous stirred cocktail. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 32% (64 proof) — 500mL ready-to-pour
- Base spirit: Starward Australian single malt whisky (Nova/Solera style), red-wine-barrel matured
- Build: whisky + house-made bitters + wattleseed demerara syrup + orange bitters
- Origin: Starward Distillery, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Style: distillery-batched, "patiently perfected" per the distillery
The Hardest Cocktail, Perfected at the Distillery
Starward's own line is that a good Old Fashioned is notoriously difficult to get right — so they put their expert bartenders and whisky distillers under one roof and batched it themselves. The whisky does the heavy lifting: red-wine-barrel richness, juicy fruit, and a fruity approachability that melts into the wattleseed bitters and demerara. The result is decadent and full-bodied but dry on the finish — sweet, balanced, and ready the moment you twist the cap. Explore more from Starward or browse whisky.
Tasting Notes
Aromatic nose of rich vanilla, orange zest, and aromatic bitters lifted by bright citrus; a smooth, decadent palate of toffee, dried orange, red fruit, coffee, and dry wattleseed; a long finish, sweet yet dry and well-rounded.
How to Enjoy
Keep it in the fridge, pour over a large ice cube in a tumbler, and garnish with a twist of orange. That's the whole recipe — the distillery did the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Starward Old Fashioned "New"?
The Australian twist: native wattleseed bitters and demerara syrup, built on Starward's red-wine-barrel single malt rather than rye or bourbon.
How many serves in a 500mL bottle?
About 5–7 cocktail serves, depending on your pour.
Does a bottled Old Fashioned need anything added?
No — it's a complete cocktail. Just ice and an orange twist.
The Old Fashioned, distillery-perfected — order Starward's online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.