It’s World Whisky Day and what better way to celebrate the occasion than with the unveiling and first tastings of the much-awaited Ginger Beer Cask #6 by Melbourne’s Starward Whisky. Which in itself is a very, very big deal - the once-a-year single-malt release, now in its sixth year running, has amassed legions of fans over the years and become something of a cult-classic. Punters need to enter a ballot system to get their hands on a bottle. And so the folks at Starward Whisky have done something extra special to mark the launch of Ginger Beer Cask #6. Given Melbourne’s food capital status (we do love our food, I can vouch for that), the 300+ attendees of the launch event will also enjoy the teaming of their favourite whisky with some sweet treats inspired by or incorporating Ginger Beer Cask #6 and created by some of Melbourne’s leading pastry chefs and artisan bakers. We were treated to a delightful preview of the launch - read on to find out more.

THE DISTILLERY TOUR

I may very well get skewered for saying this but here goes… I am not a whisky drinker. But there is a first time for everything, and this was my first time visiting Starward Whisky’s distillery located in Port Melbourne. Here, we were greeted with a Ginger beer cask #6 cocktail before being treated to a tour of the distillery and the 101 on whisky making and ageing, barrels and the influence of Melbourne’s dynamic (read: temperamental, po-tay-to po-tah-to) climate on what makes Starward Whisky uniquely… Starward Whisky.

THE GINGER BEER CASK #6 MEETS SWEETS EXPERIENCE

Following the tour, it was finally time to try Ginger Beer Cask #6 in its purest form and also enjoy its pairing with some sweet creations that came to life right before our eyes.

Whisky marshmallow with chocolate sable - by Kay-lene Tan, Tonka / Coda

Maritozzi infused with native strawberry gum, filled with ginger cream - Giorgia McAllister, Monforte Viennoiserie

Chocolate tuille case with pineapple cubes, quenelle of vanilla chantilly cream, cocoa nib shards and candied cumquats - Audrey Allard, Holy Sugar

Hazelnut praline base with dark chocolate truffle and ginger fairy floss - Franco Villalva, To Be Frank

TAKE HOME GOODIES

But wait, there’s more! Attendees will also be able to purchase some more Ginger Beer Cask #6 inspired goodies to take home:

• Chocolate mousse croissant by Franco Villalva

• Dark chocolate whisky chocolate bar by Audrey Allard

• Mandarin and grapefruit shortbread by Giorgia McAllister

• Starward marshmallow by Kay-lene Tan

Disclosure: I attended the launch event and was gifted the products courtesy of Starward Whisky. All opinions expressed in this post are based entirely on my experience and observations made during the time of my visit.