Starward "Forget Me Not" Beer Whisky

Nose: Starts with a sweet, floral scent of frangipani, vanilla flowers, damask rose, and eau-de-Cologne, almost like gin. It then shifts to elderflower wine before transforming into a hop aroma, like a brewery during fermentation. Eventually, whisky's malty notes emerge, balancing with hops, elderflowers, malt, vanilla, oak, and a hint of tropical fruit. Adding water removes the strong cologne scent, revealing more typical whisky aromas. Palate: Neat, it's sweet and smooth with herbal and malty flavors. The development adds a gin-like herbal and oaky character, with bittersweet ale notes and no sign of the 50% ABV, making it dangerously easy to drink. Water enhances drinkability and depth, but the profile remains simple and bold rather than complex. Finish: Long, initially seeming thin but lingering. The herbal/bittersweet character fades slowly, leaving an aftertaste. Water negatively impacts the finish, making it taste soapy. This is an unusual spirit, a collaboration between a brewery and a distillery, using a dry-hopped pale ale as the base. The beer heritage is clear through its intense hop notes, transformed into a fragrant herbal aroma. It's not scotch or bourbon, but a contemporary Australian whisky with a quirky, pleasing character, showcasing experimental distilling. It's recommended for the experience, though not as an everyday dram. Rated 3 stars. BTW - The name Forget-Me-Not highlights its unforgettable beer heritage. My bottle is no. 315. “Above Average": 80/100 (3 stars)

Subtly floral in a delicate, understated manner; a little sharp alcohol-wise.