Australian spirits producers Mr Black and Starward have teamed up to launch a limited edition whisky and coffee-based liqueur.
Mr Black infused cacao nibs from Tanzania into its signature coffee liqueur, which has then been blended with Starward’s Peated Finish whisky to create the Double Cacao release.
Tom Baker, co-founder of Mr Black, said: “Coffee and chocolate is an uncontroversial combination, but making them better than the sum of their parts is another challenge altogether.
“Cacao — when treated with respect — brings a wine-like character to the liqueur. Think fruity, dark chocolate with crispness and bite. Using a peated-finish whisky from Starward adds that richer, savoury and smoky dimension to the final brew. It’s superb.”
Mr Black’s head of coffee, Detlef Mohr, explained: “I experimented with cacao nibs to achieve a true dark chocolate taste that would compliment the Mr Black coffee roast. From here Starward’s production director, Sam [Slaney], found us a whisky with the perfect smokiness and depth to compliment the bittersweet coffee and chocolate flavours.
“We are thrilled to be working with Starward on this release — two Aussie spirits brands with the same passion for quality.”
The liqueur is said to offer a rich and velvety ‘explosion’ of mocha flavours, with accents of red fruit, toasted oak and smoky peat flavours that linger.
Starward brand ambassador, Matty Follent, advised the bottling is “delicious on the rocks or as a twist in a classic cocktail. The inclusion of Starward’s Peated Finish whisky rounds out the mocha flavour with a slightly smoky foundation, making it indulgent without being overly sweet.”
Starward’s Peated Finish whisky won a Gold medal in The World Whisky Masters 2023.
Diageo acquired Mr Black last September and invested in Starward through its Distill Ventures arm in 2015.
Mr Black recently teamed up with fellow Australian producer, Bundaberg, to create two rum-based coffee liqueurs.