Starward Octave Barrels Single Malt Australian Whisky
Starward Octave Barrels Single Malt Australian Whisky is a 48% ABV (96 proof) single malt whisky in a 700mL bottle — fully matured in Yalumba's The Octavius Shiraz 100-litre octave barrels at Starward's Port Melbourne distillery, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 48% (96 proof) — non-chill filtered, natural colour
- Size: 700mL
- Age: no age statement (reportedly around 3 years) — distilled 2018, bottled 2021; the first release from the "Starward Projects" experimental program
- Origin: Port Melbourne, Australia — Starward Distillery, founded by David Vitale
- Maturation: fully matured in freshly-emptied Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz octave barrels (100L) — Yalumba is Australia's oldest family-owned winery, the only winery in the southern hemisphere with its own onsite cooperage
- Awards: Gold, World Whisky Masters 2022 (The Spirits Business)
Shiraz Octaves, Whisky Intensity
Starward's red-wine-barrel program goes back to its first batch in 2013 — barrels gifted by Yalumba, Australia's oldest family-owned winery. Octave Barrels takes the partnership further: the single malt is matured entirely in Yalumba's The Octavius Shiraz barrels, tiny 100-litre octaves that create far more wood-to-whisky contact than standard casks, soaking the spirit in Barossa Shiraz character fast. The result is full-bodied and bold — raisin, ripe peach, and caramel on the nose, dark forest fruits and toasted oak on the palate, with a toasted-marshmallow finish. Shop our whisky collection, explore Starward, or compare other Australian single malts.
Tasting Notes
Up-front raisin, ripe peach, and caramel with toasty oak on the nose. The palate is full-bodied and rich — dark forest fruits, blueberry, strawberry, caramel, marshmallow, and nutmeg over seasoned oak — finishing long with cherry, cinnamon, and toasted marshmallow.
How to Enjoy
Neat to take the full 48% — the wine-barrel richness carries it. A splash of water softens the oak and lifts the red-fruit notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an octave barrel?
A small ~100-litre cask — Yalumba's The Octavius Shiraz is reportedly the world's only red wine aged in octave-sized barrels. The small volume means more wood contact, so the whisky picks up barrel character faster and more intensely.
Why is it 700mL?
700mL is the standard Australian (and EU) bottle size — the US 750mL is the outlier here, not the other way around.
Is it chill-filtered or colored?
No — non-chill filtered with natural colour, bottled at 48% ABV.
Australia's wine-and-whisky crossover at full intensity — pick up Starward Octave Barrels online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.