Australia’s Starward Whisky wins big at 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

A local distillery has become the first in the world to win an unprecedented number of awards at the global spirits competition.

Port Melbourne whiskey distillery Starward has won an unprecedented eight platinum medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Picture: David Caird

An Australian distillery has become the first in the world to win an unprecedented number of platinum medals at a prestigious global spirits competition overnight.

Melbourne’s Starward Whisky swept the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, beating more than 5500 entries worldwide to take home eight platinum, 13 double gold and 13 gold medals for its suite of Melbourne-made whiskies.

The Port Melbourne distillery is the only one in the world to take home at least 13 double gold medals at the esteemed competition.

Starward’s single malt whiskies, including the Nova and Octave Barrels, won platinum medals.

Platinum medals are awarded to entries that receive a Double Gold medal for three consecutive years, and Double Gold medals are only awarded to entries that receive a unanimous Gold Medal rating by the tasting panel.

Starward’s Two Fold, Solera, HER Honeycomb and Ginger Beer casks all won Gold Medals.

Founder David Vitale said he was shocked by the result.

“To be consistently recognised at this calibre is gobsmacking,” he said.

“I started off with a simple vision, to create a distinctly approachable Australian whisky we could offer to the world with pride.”

“In our wildest dreams, the passionate and small team in Melbourne could not believe that this was an option, but now it’s a reality.”

The awards win comes weeks after Starward revamped its Port Melbourne HQ, adding a new-look restaurant and cellar door, complete with full-time head chef Drew Traynor.

Starward Whisky has entered the SFWSC awards since 2021.