Star Hill Farm Whisky Review: Maker’s Mark’s First Wheat Whisky Is Balanced and Delightful

(Photo: Maker’s Mark)

In a landmark move, Maker’s Mark is rolling out Star Hill Farm Whisky — its first wheat whisky and first new mashbill since the distillery’s founding in 1953. This inaugural release, set to hit shelves mid-May in the U.S. and U.K., stands out not just for its bold flavor profile but for its pioneering approach to sustainability and regenerative agriculture.

“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,” eighth-generation whisky maker and managing director of Maker’s Mark Rob Samuels said in a news release. “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.”

Crafted from two mashbills — 100% malted soft red winter wheat and a 70/30 blend of soft red winter wheat and malted barley — Star Hill Farm Whisky is a far departure from the traditional Maker’s Mark wheated bourbon recipe, which has remained unchanged for more than 70 years. The absence of corn in the new mashbill allows the wheat to fully express itself.

“We’re proud to introduce the first wheat whisky in our distillery’s history, one that showcases our vision and innovation and honors the land that makes it all possible,” Maker’s Mark Master Distiller Dr. Blake Layfield said. “This release is a complex yet balanced blend of seven- and eight-year whiskies, bottled uncut at cask strength.”

Tasting Notes: Our Review of Star Hill Farm Whisky

We had the opportunity to taste Maker’s Mark’s new wheat whisky ahead of its release. Here’s our breakdown:

Nose: Sweet, floral and distinctly wheaty. A strong wheat funk emerges early but settles after time in the glass. Notes include confectioners’ sugar, praline, caramel, macadamia, golden raisins and a touch of banana bread.

Taste: Excellent viscosity with a pleasant level of heat. The profile leans sweet and nutty with noticeable tannins and minerality. Key flavors include maraschino cherry, cocoa, caramel cake, cinnamon and a slight note of bitter grapefruit peel.

Finish: Long and mineral-driven with layers of butterscotch, dark chocolate-covered walnuts, leather, cinnamon and honey.

Overall: A very nice endeavor by Maker’s Mark. Sweet, floral, rich and nuanced. The tannic character adds depth but occasionally overpowers the sweeter notes. Still, this is a bold and successful debut that sets the bar high for future wheat whisky releases from the brand.

Click here to read our full review.

The whisky is named for Star Hill Farm, the 1,100-acre estate that has been home to the Maker’s Mark distillery since its inception. The release also marks the formation of the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance, which aims to transition a million acres of farmland to regenerative practices within three years. The distillery also earned the distinction of being the first in Kentucky to receive B Corp Certification and the first globally to be certified by Regenified™.

In addition, this expression is the first to receive Estate Whiskey certification—a new designation by the University of Kentucky’s Estate Whiskey Alliance™ — signifying that the product is made entirely with grains grown on the distillery’s estate.

The 2025 edition of Star Hill Farm Whisky will be priced at $100 and available at select U.S. retailers and directly from the distillery. For those looking to explore the release up close, Maker’s Mark is offering a dedicated Star Hill Farm experience, bookable through its official website.