Starward small batch sticky toffee apple

Continuing my focused exploration of the Starward distillery, I've selected the Starward Small Batch Sticky Toffee Apple. From the Starward website: “Starward's Sticky Toffee Apple whisky is the latest release from our Small Batch program where our distillers source unique barrels or trial something new. Our distillers sourced Apple Brandy barrels from the United States and finished our red wine matured, single malt whisky in these barrels for three years. These barrels worked hard in Melbourne's 'four seasons in one day', which allowed the delicious liquid to achieve the full orchard and oak experience. This resulted in our luscious Sticky Toffee Apple whisky which is bound to please every crowd; whisky lover or not” Nose: The bottle's name suggests stickiness and sweetness. Toffee apple is predictably the dominant note, but a more delicate perfume and a savory vanilla are also present. Together, these subtle elements prevent it from becoming overly sweet. After a good 15 minutes, I detect the faintest hint of raisin. Palate: Viscous and sticky with pleasing acidity. The apple brandy comes through strongly, possessing a cloudy cider character. Pleasant warming baking spice and pastry notes are present. A darker toffee emerges on the mid-palate compared to the nose. A slight red wine influence, like a jammy plum, is subdued but adds some depth to the profile. Finish: Surprisingly lengthy. Fresh juicy sweetness, apple puree, tinned pineapple, and a hot ginger-cinnamon spice. The fresh juiciness lingers the longest. Curiouser and curiouser. Starward is becoming increasingly intriguing. This possesses a beautifully delicate nose interwoven with a powerful apple brandy that develops into a just barely balanced palate and a substantial finish. While the nose, palate, and finish all share that rich apple brandy essence, they are not identical; each contributes a distinct aspect. The most immediate comparison I can make is to the Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment (distiller whisky taste #198), however, the subtle influence of Starward's red wine casks has added just enough extra depth to make this a more compelling apple brandy finish. The second comparison is then to the Whisky Club Exclusive Starward Cognac Cask. The Starward CC is the more subdued finish, with a smoother and more varied palate, better acidity, a chocolatey-creamy and velvety texture, and a brightening hint of orange. Nevertheless, this is a commendable effort and certainly lives up to its namesake of ‘Sticky Apple’. Price is for a 500 ml bottle. [Pictured here with another shooting star for Starward. This meteorite is called a Howardite, a specific type of rock ejected from the surface of the meteorite Vesta by other meteorite impacts. Vesta is the second largest asteroid in the Solar System and meteorites from Vesta hold important clues to the formation of planetary bodies.] Starward running scores: Fortis: 3.25/5 Whisky Club Exclusive, Maple Cask: 2/5 Whisky Club Exclusive, Cognac Cask: 3.5/5 Projects, Octave Barrels: 3.75/5 Projects, Dolce: 2.25/5 Projects, Bourbon Cask: 3.5/5 Small Batch, Hungarian Oak: 3/5 Small Batch, Sticky Toffee Apple: 3.25/5 ‘Brandy’ cask running scores: Port Charlotte CC:01 - 5/5 Balvenie 16 French Oak Pineau Cask Finish - 3.5/5 Arran Rare Batch 17 y/o Calvados - 3.75/5 Starward Cognac Cask - 3.5/5 Glenfiddich Orchcard Experiment Ponoma - 2.75/5 Starward Small Batch, Sticky Toffee Apple: 3.25/5