In a historic first, Maker's Mark has revealed the first non-bourbon product in its long and esteemed distilling history: The Star Hill Farms Whisky.

At first glance it looks like it has nothing to do with Maker's Mark, but it is actually named after the 1,100-acre Kentucky farm that Maker’s Mark distillery has been situated on since 1953!

The exact blend of Star Hill Farms Whisky will shift from year to year, but the inaugural release is an ambitious blend of two mash bills: one distilled from 70% wheat and 30% malted barley, while the latter is a distillation of 100% malted wheat. This is the first new mashbill at Maker's Mark in over 70 years!

When you break it down in total, the final blend features a mash bill of 61% wheat, 20% malted wheat, and 19% malted barley. Of course, it utilizes Maker's Mark's signature soft red winter wheat, so while the bottle drops the iconic Maker's Mark red wax top, you still have something familiar within!

Aged for seven to eight years, all the distilled and barreled components of this initial release date back to the falls of 2016 and 2017. It is bottled at cask strength: 57.35% ABV (114.7 proof). 

Of course, the complete lack of corn within disqualifies this from being called a Bourbon, which requires at least 51% corn in the mashbill.

For this new line of whisky, Maker’s Mark experimented with different cask types during the aging process and has hinted that it will continue to do so for future releases. Curiously, the barrels for this blend were not rotated to different warehouse spots during maturation, a practice otherwise common for Maker's Mark's signature Bourbon.

The whiskey is said to offer aromas of butter, caramel and golden raisins, this reportedly leads to a palate boasting notes of honeyed toffee and apple pie spice. The finish features toasted pecans and cinnamon.

While presented in a completely new bottle shape, this whisky includes numerous tributes to the Samuels family and their history with the brand. For example, the original Maker's Mark features a "maker's ark" of "SIV" to honor the Samuels family and founder Bill Sr., initially believed to be the fourth-generation distiller. 

His son, Bill Jr., then discovered that Bill Sr. is actually a sixth-generation distiller, and so this new whisky also bears the mark "SVIII" for its creator, Rob Samuels, the eighth in the family line. On top of it all, it utilizes hand-torn labels, a tradition established by founder Margie Samuels for the original bottling.

Concurrent with the launch of Star Hill Farm Whisky, Maker’s Mark also announced an ambitious three-year goal to convert one million acres of farmland to regenerative agriculture. This approach aims to improve soil health, support biodiversity, and reduce carbon emissions, through such agricultural practices like no-till/low-till planting, use of cover crops and crop rotation to protect and improve the soil.

Currently, the distillery has 350 acres of their own farm under cultivation, and is collaborating with other Kentucky farms to grow 50,000 acres in total.

Marking a new standard in whiskey production, this spirit is also the first to earn the Estate Whiskey Certification conferred by the Estate Whiskey Alliance (a consortium formed through the University of Kentucky).

This means that all production processes, (including milling, cooking, fermentation, distillation, barreling, aging and bottling) occur on the estate distillery, and at least two-thirds of all mashbill grains utilize grains exclusively sourced from land owned or controlled by the distillery. 

This also makes it the first whisky produced through regenerative farming practices, says managing director and eighth-generation distiller Rob Samuels.

Starting May 2025, Star Hill Farm Whisky will be available at select retailers in the US and the UK, with a suggested retail price of $100 for each 750ml bottle. The Australian market will see a release later this year. Alternatively for those visiting the brand's Loretto, Kentucky location, booking a Star Hill Farm Whisky experience also provides an opportunity to purchase a bottle.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team