The other day we were doing what we probably do too often — wandering the aisles of a local liquor store with no real intention of buying anything in particular. Just browsing. Just seeing what’s new. Just letting a label or a backstory jump out and say, “Hey… take me home.”

That’s when this bottle stopped us.

Starward Two-Fold.
Australian whisky.
From Melbourne.

That alone was enough to slow us down.

Australian whisky doesn’t exactly dominate shelf space in the eastern United States, so seeing one sitting there — quietly, confidently — piqued our interest. We mean, this bottle traveled halfway around the world to end up in our neighborhood. The least we could do was give it a shot.

So we grabbed it, brought it back to the Tasting Room, and did what we always do:
poured it for the team and waited to see who made the face.

You know the one.

Except… no one did.

Instead, we got raised eyebrows. Nods. A couple of “Oh… that’s actually really nice.”

No bite.
No burn.
Smooth, slightly sweet, fruit-forward, and unexpectedly easy to drink.

Not what most people expect when they hear “world whisky.”

Starward isn’t new to this. Founded in 2007 by David Vitale, Starward helped kickstart the modern Australian whisky movement under the mentorship of Bill Lark — a name that carries serious weight in the whisky world.

Rather than chasing Scotch traditions, Starward leaned into what Australia does best:

• Hot, reactive climate
   
• Bold red wine culture
   
• Flavor-forward whisky
   

Two-Fold is their double-grain expression — a marriage of wheat and malted barley, entirely matured in Australian red wine barrels. That wine influence is key here, but what impressed us most is how restrained it is. The wine adds character, not control.

This is not a sherry bomb.
It’s not a wine cask experiment gone sideways.
It’s a balanced, approachable whisky designed to be poured — not over-analyzed.

Light amber with excellent clarity. Nothing flashy — just clean and inviting in the glass.

The nose leans bright and friendly right away:

• Ripe red fruits (apple, berries, peach)
   
• Vanilla and honey
   
• Light tropical notes
   
• Toasted grain
   
• Subtle baking spice
   
• A faint tea-like quality (rooibos or black tea)
   

It smells approachable — the kind of whisky you don’t brace yourself for.

On the palate, Two-Fold really finds its groove:

• Creamy texture
   
• Sweet, fruit-forward flavors (pear, apple, jammy red fruit)
   
• Vanilla buttercream and caramel
   
• Honeyed malt
   
• Soft oak spice
   

A few of us described it as “wheated-bourbon-adjacent” — but with a wine-influenced accent instead of corn sweetness. There’s a softness here that makes it extremely drinkable.

The finish is clean and light:

• Gentle fruit
   
• Sweet malt
   
• Light oak
   
• A slightly dry, tannic touch from the red wine barrels
   

It doesn’t linger aggressively. It fades politely — which, honestly, makes you want another sip.

Two-Fold isn’t trying to overwhelm you with layers. Instead, it focuses on balance and drinkability.

Some tasters noted a slight youthful thinness — and that’s fair. But at this price point and proof, what it delivers in smoothness and approachability more than makes up for it.

“This is one of those whiskies you open just to try something new… and then suddenly half the bottle’s gone.” — The Bar Book Tasting Team

This bottle shines in more situations than we expected:

If you’re curious about Australian whisky, this is a perfect entry point.

Soft enough to sip neat, forgiving enough for a cube.

Two-Fold works beautifully in lighter cocktails:

• New Old Fashioneds
   
• Highballs
   
• Fruit-forward whisky drinks
   

This is a crowd-pleaser. Even people who “don’t usually like whisky” tend to enjoy it.

At around $30, this bottle punches well above its price.

Starward Two-Fold shows up as a solid match for drinkers who enjoy:

• Fruit-forward whiskies
   
• Softer, sweeter profiles
   
• Wine-cask influence without heaviness
   

This is exactly where The Bar Book comes in — helping you explore bottles like this with confidence.

We’re building the:

• Vivino for spirits
   
• Spotify for alcohol
   
• Match.com for the bar
   

Our Flavor Fingerprint™ helps match your personal taste to whiskies you’ll actually enjoy — especially when you’re stepping outside your usual category.

Explore Starward Two-Fold here:
👉 Starward Two-Fold on The Bar Book

The Bar Book Tasting Room
Where Flavor Meets Story.
Tasted and Reviewed by The Bar Book Team.
https://thebarbook.app

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