Starward Whisky Loot Single Barrel Single Malt

For those keeping score at home, you might be tired of my Starward reviews. Or maybe not, if the new app isn't showing them to you. We're nearing the end with this eighteenth tasting, an exclusive bottling. A premium subscription tasting service, this company sends out three 60ml bottles monthly. The packaging and guides are nice, with a typical spirit selection, though they occasionally feature exclusives and rarities. This bottling is one such example. This particular single malt was chosen from a specific cask (barrel 2384) by the service. It was matured in French oak, a red wine barrique cask from Barossa Valley. Filled in September 2016, 240 bottles were released in April 2021 at 58.3% ABV for AUD$160-169. Nose: Gentle and appealing. A tannic red wine note is immediate, along with dark cherry. A toffee-like character seems to underpin everything, though without distinct sweetness, brown sugar, or vanillin. It presents as a toffee presence nonetheless. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper are present but lack a spicy bite. With time, it becomes more leathery and earthy, almost as if it's becoming too much. I'll add water shortly. Palate: Medium-bodied with a dynamic texture, shifting between bright and acidic, then oily and bold, and finally aggressively tart. I was expecting balance, but there's a distinct imbalance here. It reminds me of grandma's apple pie: tart apple, a crumbly brown sugar topping on shortcrust, and cinnamon spice. Beyond that, there's bitter espresso, bitter cocoa, a tannic wine influence, dark red fruits like cherry and plum, and a subtle malt note in the background if you search for it. Finish: Lingering. Leathery cinnamon, rich oak, crunchy brown sugar, and fresh apple leaning towards sweetness. Adding a splash of water had a surprising effect on the nose, only highlighting its near 60% ABV. I had hoped for a burst of complex aromas, but it remains heavy and muddled. The palate, however, does settle down; the malt becomes more noticeable, the fresh apple acidity softens slightly, and the spice moves forward, with faint leathery notes helping to manage and slightly mask the bitterness. I might have detected a hint of floral notes too, which I quite enjoy. The finish remains largely unchanged. Having tasted 219 whiskies, I'm feeling a bit weary. Exclusive releases, limited editions... it all feels like marketing to sell subpar products. I didn't have high expectations, assuming it would be unremarkable, similar to the core range offerings. I was pleasantly surprised by this vibrant and bold young whisky eager to make its mark. It's not exceptional, but it possesses considerable character and is quite enjoyable. A quick look online reveals numerous single barrel Starward bottlings. I believe the collective character of these more spirited, independent releases might explain why the standard core range lacks distinctiveness and lasting appeal. I feel I'm finally beginning to grasp Starward's identity. Whisky taste #219. Paired with striking galena crystals from Madan, Bulgaria. Galena, a lead sulfide, often forms cubic crystals. These lustrous specimens originated from hydrothermal fluids around 30 million years ago due to igneous rock intrusions. Their unique feature is the rounded edges, termed 'melted galena,' formed when changing mineralizing fluid chemistry caused corrosion along crystal boundaries. Like this exclusive whisky, this type of galena is almost exclusively found in the Madan, Bulgaria deposits. Starward running scores: Nova: 3/5 Fortis: 3.25/5 Solera: 3.75/5 10th Anniversary: 4.25/5 Vitalis 15th Anniversary: 4.5/5 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 Projects, Tawny #2: 3.5/5 Projects, UnExpeated: 3.75/5 Projects, Peated: 2.75/5 Small Batch, Cherry Wood Smoked: /5 Small Batch, Hungarian Oak: 3/5 Small Batch, Sticky Toffee Apple: 3.25/5 Small Batch, Chardonnay: 4/5 Whisky Loot Single Barrel Single Malt Exclusive: 3.5/5