We’ve received samples of the new releases from our wonderful friends at The Heart Cut, and we’ll soon be sharing our tasting impressions across our social media channels — stay tuned for updates.
The Heart Cut has launched Casks #14 and #15 from Melbourne’s Starward Distillery, continuing its focus on character-driven single cask whiskies from leading producers around the globe. Both new releases are single malts matured in fresh red wine barriques from Australia’s Barossa Valley — with Cask #14 aged in American oak and Cask #15 in French oak. Each offers whisky drinkers the chance to explore the influence of different oak origins and wine-soaked casks.
Founded in 2007 by Dave Vitale, Starward Distillery has carved out a distinctive place in the whisky world by using ingredients sourced locally and embracing the variable Melbourne climate to speed up maturation. While many producers use dried and transported wine casks, Starward works with fresh casks, filled shortly after being emptied, which adds vibrant, fruity depth to the whisky.
Cask #14 (RRP £69) is bottled at 55% ABV and limited to 383 bottles. It’s described as juicy and bold, with notes of chocolate-covered raspberries, redcurrants, digestive biscuits, and rich vanilla.
Cask #15 (RRP £65) is bottled at 54% ABV and limited to 312 bottles. It’s more structured and expressive, offering cherry blossom, strawberry laces, sticky toffee pudding, and warming spice.
According to co-founder Georgie Bell, the two bottlings are a clear example of how different oak types contribute to flavour: American oak bringing lift and sweetness, French oak lending spice and grip. These are the latest curated selections from The Heart Cut, who recently won Independent Bottler of the Year at the Global Icons of Whisky Awards for the second consecutive year.
In addition to the UK, The Heart Cut’s releases will now be available across Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, and Denmark, through a partnership with distributor Tipple. Bottles will be available from 15th April via theheartcut.com, and from retailers such as Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange, as well as select bars including DRAM and Soho Whisky Club in London.
