Star Hill Farm American Wheat Whisky / 2025 Release
The Stats
- Distillery: Maker’s Mark (Star Hill Farm)
- Location: Loretto, KY
- Type: American Wheat Whisky
- Age: NAS (rumored 6–7 years)
- Proof: 114.7 (57.35% ALC/VOL)
- Derived Mash Bill: 51% Soft Red Winter Wheat, 27% Malted Soft Red Winter Wheat, 22% Malted Barley
- Release: May 2025 (Limitied Release)
- Price: $100
If you've ever visited Maker's Mark, you know that Star Hill Farm isn't just an address for a distillery—it's the heart of the brand. Nestled in the rolling hills of Loretto, Kentucky, Star Hill has been home to Maker's since the 1950s, when Bill Samuels Sr. famously set fire to his family's 170-year-old recipe and chose to start fresh with a softer wheated mash bill.
For decades, Maker's Mark has been synonymous with consistency. That iconic red wax and its smooth wheated bourbon have made it one of the most recognizable American whiskies in the world. However, in recent years, Star Hill Farm has evolved from merely being a production site to a living laboratory. With its on-site cooperage, experimental warehouses, and commitment to sustainable grain growing, Star Hill serves as a space where tradition and innovation meet.
A Bold New Chapter for Maker's
This brings us to the latest release: the first-ever Star Hill Farm American Wheat Whisky. For a distillery that has built its entire identity around wheated bourbon, this feels like a logical—yet bold—next step. Instead of corn leading the mash bill, wheat takes center stage, making a significant statement in the world of whiskey.
At 114.7 proof, this isn't a mild experiment—it's Maker's Mark making a statement. The intention is not just to play with tradition but to push it forward. If bourbon is America's spirit, then wheat whiskey is its quieter sibling, often overlooked. Maker's Mark seems determined to change that narrative, and Star Hill Farm provides the perfect proving ground.
From the very first pour, this release embraces its identity: approachable yet bold, familiar yet different. It's the kind of whiskey that makes you appreciate why Star Hill Farm is more than just land—it's a legacy.
Tasting Notes
Aroma:
Fresh-baked bread, sweet honeycomb, creamy vanilla, and light summery fruits. Raspberries. Strawberries. Lemon. Toast with jam. Hints of earthy clove and hay mingle with sweet oak and a dusting of cocoa.
Taste:
Warm creamy caramel, toasted wheat bread, berry jam, citrus, and spiced apples. A wave of vanilla custard and baking spice follows, with a touch of earthy leather and light molasses. The proof adds warmth without tipping into heat, making each sip rich and layered.
Finish:
Long and warming with honey-drizzled grain, oak spice, and a kiss of dark chocolate. A subtle peppery tingle lingers alongside sweet malt and vanilla cream.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
9 / 10 - EXCELLENT
Maker's Mark's Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey is not just a novelty; it is a bold and flavorful introduction that demonstrates that wheat whiskey can possess the same complexity and richness as any well-crafted bourbon. This whiskey honors Maker's wheated heritage while also exploring new territory.
Priced at $100, it is a bottle worth seeking out, especially for those who enjoy whiskies that blend smoothness with a robust proof. Maker's Mark is venturing into new grounds while still preserving the characteristics that made them legendary.
Though Maker's Mark waited decades to release their first wheat whiskey, after tasting it, the long wait was absolutely worthwhile.
It’s an innovative classic.
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SOCIAL CLUB: Sample Giveaway
Livestream 8/29 @ 8pm CT
We’re giving away a 2oz sample of the Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey during this month’s livestream—plus a few bonus pours we think you’ll love.
Paid members are automatically entered.
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