Starward Left-Field
The Left-Field belongs to the core-range of Starward and is thus always available. You often have to put down quite a sum of money for Single Malt Whiskys from countries other than Scotland. This bottling is affordable even for the smaller purse. Starward themself praise the Whisky as an easily accessible all-rounder.
Nose
A strong and very intense smell of honey with orange pieces, apricot jam and vanilla literally shoots up our noses. Sweet grapes and juicy apple follow shortly after. A finch of nutmeg and mild pepper are perceptible. It feels like we are sitting in the summer in the south with a sea view in front of a fruit plate.
Taste
A very wine-like (I wonder. why...) taste presents itself. Apricot and tropical fruits dance with vanilla, malt and oak spice. One could almost say: Wine vs. Bourbon. Only the solvent-like bourbon aromas are missing. On the whole the whisky presents mild, sweet, and slightly oily. A few more %ABV might have made this flavour-profile of the NAS Whisky a little more interesting.
Finish
Smooth, nutty, peppery an slightly woody, the wine - eh Whisky - disappears after some time. The tropical fruits linger on.
Thoughts
Very pleasant! If you are looking for a substitute for a dessert wine or would like to offer a Whisky to a non-Whisky drinker, you have come to the right place. As an easy sipper and - if necessary - also as a mixer, the Starward Left-Field is a good to very good choice with many possible applications.
Due to the flavour profile, the wonderful nose, and the summer feeling that this whisky from Australia brings, we can happily say: We found our Whisky of the Summer 2022. The price is also ok.
Rating: 79/100 - Very Good (Marcel: 79 | Sascha: 79)
Value for Money: 4/5 - Good
Preview Image Source: The Whisky Exchange