As the signature red wax gives way and the golden Maker’s Mark liquid fills the glass, whisky drinkers know that a superb spirit will be enjoyed. With the distillers first wheat whisky, Star Hill Farm Whisky, the liquor brand steps into the future of spirits while ensuring the agriculture will be there to support it.
While food costs and other monetary concerns tend to infuse their concerns into every conversation, food and beverage brands need to see beyond the concerns in the moment. If the land is not available to harvest the ingredients that are the foundation of a product, all the other conversations fade from view.
Liquor is dependent on the grains that go into the mash bill. While each distiller crafts a unique blend of corn, wheat, and other grains, that base is vital to creating the first step in developing the rich flavor which eventually arrives in the glass.
In the food world, sustainability will always be vital. The land, the farmer, and the innovation is key to ensuring that there will be products on the table now and years to come.
Grains, specifically regenerative grains, have become woven their way into various products. Cereals, beers, and now whisky understands the importance of using these ingredients to craft the next generation of offerings.
What is Star Hill Whisky from Maker’s Mark?
As Maker’s Mark’s first wheat whisky and first new mashbill, the expectations for this offering are high. While the classic Kentucky spirit is enjoyed neat or in a cocktail, this liquor invites a bigger conversation beyond taste profiles. It is a nod to how sustainability needs to be part of the liquor conversation.
Speaking about this launch, Rob Samuels, eighth-generation whisky maker and managing director of Maker's Mark said, "Guided by our founders' pursuit of excellence and a higher purpose, we are proud to share Star Hill Farm Whisky with the world — a 10-year journey to unlock nature's depth of flavor, resulting in something new from the Maker's Mark Distillery. The launch of Star Hill Farm Whisky will expand our platform to advance regenerative agriculture beyond our business, fostering a more sustainable future for our industry, people and planet."
Given that Maker’s Mark has a large presence in the industry, it will be interesting to see if other brands will follow. While there is constant innovation in barrel aging and flavor infusions, going back to the foundation of the spirit offers even more possibilities, both now and in the future.
Additionally, adding this particular spirit to a bar menu can spark a bigger conversation across the food world. More chefs and restaurateurs appreciate the importance of being food conscious. It is more than putting a farmer’s name on a menu. It is rethinking food waste and building concepts around minimization.
The new Star Hill Farm Whisky will be available starting in mid-May. According to Dr. Blake Layfield, master distiller, Maker's Mark, the flavors will be nuanced, yet approachable. It appears that the wheat will have a buttery sweet, slightly spicy aroma. The flavors will continue the sweet, slightly nutty notes.
Once drinkers have an opportunity to enjoy a taste, it will be interesting to see how to pair or build on this particular release. From a neat pour to serving over a single cube, this higher ABV offering will invite spirited conversations.
The Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky is bottled at 57.35% ABV (114.7 proof). The suggested price for the 2025 release is $100.