Turntable Collaboration Drop 01: Starward Review

Turntable Blending House made quite a splash last year with the introduction of three limited-edition whiskies and its core range. The brand's latest release is a Collaboration Drop that includes a substantial share of the popular Australian Starward whisky. Learn how this translates on the palate in the Turntable Collaboration Drop 01: Starward Review.

Most whisky enthusiasts have undoubtedly heard the names Turntable and Starward recently. Both the new whisky brand from Scotland and the Australian whisky brand have gained popularity. Starward previously had a collaboration with a Scottish brand, which resulted in the Starward x Lagavulin whisky.

The new Turntable expression also takes this route. The limited edition blended whisky combines various Scottish whiskies with the Australian spirit from Melbourne.

Before tasting, we'll explore the packaging and the bottle. The bottle is similar to other Turntable whiskies, including the characteristic Turntable cork. The label and packaging have several captivating features to entice the eye even before you've seen, smelled, or tasted the whisky.

The box displays a universe of diverse colors and dots. There's a nebula of red and green against a backdrop of deep blue and purple hues. While the whisky brand's letters shine in bold white on the box, the blender's logo stands at the center of a large golden circle.

The label mirrors the luxury of the whisky box's design. In the top right and bottom corners of the label, you'll find coordinates. When you input these into Google maps, they lead you to either Glasgow or Melbourne.

Although that's already a fun detail, the show really starts when you turn off the light. At this moment, several elements of the label glow. This reveals a fantastic detail in the packaging: the letters Turntable, the name of the whisky, and a part of the galaxy glow in the dark and light up.

The first Turntable Collaboration Drop is aptly bearing the name Starward prominently on its label. The Australian whisky makes up a large part of the blend. You could even call it a half-blood Starward whisky.

As we've come to expect from brothers Alasdair and Gordon Stevenson, founders of Turntable Blending House, the precise composition of the blend is entirely mapped out. Below, we've listed all the elements of the spirit:

The Turntable expression is pleasing to the eye. When you gently swirl your glass of this light amber whisky, you can tell it has a somewhat creamy texture by the traces it leaves on the sides of the glass.

On the nose, the whisky shares a sweet aroma of red fruit. It's almost as if you're smelling a good red wine. The underlying tone of smoke is reminiscent of smoldering wood, indicating the blend includes not only Starward whisky but also Caol Ila. After inhaling more deeply, notes of vanilla yogurt with some oak pass by. It's like starting your dessert after a barbeque, and this invites you to taste the whisky right away.

In the mouth, the whisky is just as pleasing as on the nose. Sweet notes of blueberries and cherries burst through. Initially, there's a pleasantly stimulating smoky flavor from Islay. As you hold the whisky in your mouth, the Inchgower and North British components sweeten the taste with tones of coconut, sweet spices, and something reminiscent of nougat blocks from the fairground.

The whisky is well-balanced and remarkably smooth. The relatively short finish adds a touch of oak before making way for the next sip.

With this Collaboration Drop 01 whisky, the blenders in Glasgow once again prove they know exactly which elements work well together. The collaboration with Starward results in an incredibly appealing whisky that caters to almost everyone's taste. It offers fruit, spices, a bit of sweetness, and a subtle touch of smokiness. Although this is the first expression in a series, the whisky already has you wondering what else is in Turntable's top hat.

+ Absolutely beautiful packaging

+ Accessible flavor

+ Excellent balance

- The finish feels somewhat short