Starward has built a massive global reputation by tearing up the traditional whisky rulebook and doing things entirely their own way. Instead of relying on imported oak, they source their barrels from some of Australia's finest wineries, often filling them while they are still wet with wine. For Tawny #2, they secured incredibly fresh, fortified wine casks that had spent years soaking up rich, oxidised, and deeply sweet Australian tawny. Because Melbourne experiences famously wild weather, often cycling through four seasons in a single day, the spirit interacts with the wood at a rapid, aggressive pace. This dynamic maturation forces all those incredible raisin and roasted nut flavours straight into the liquid, creating a beautifully textured, wildly complex whisky that perfectly bottles the innovative energy of the Australian craft distilling scene.