Maker’s Mark’s Award-Winning Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky Is Back

(Photos: Maker’s Mark)

Maker’s Mark announced on Wednesday the 2026 return of its Star Hill Farm Whisky, marking the second annual release of the brand’s first new mashbill in more than 70 years.

The release follows recognition as the “World’s Best Wheat Whisky 2026” at the World Whiskies Awards.

Unlike Maker’s Mark’s core lineup, which has long relied on a single wheated bourbon mashbill, Star Hill Farm Whisky is not a bourbon and, furthermore, is designed to evolve year to year. The project explores how grain diversity and farming practices influence flavor, rather than adhering to the strict requirements that define bourbon.

The 2026 edition expands on the inaugural release by incorporating hard red and hard white wheat varieties, moving beyond the soft red winter wheat that defines the brand’s flagship bourbon.

The 2026 expression is a blend of 7- and 8-year-old whiskeys built from two mashbills: one made entirely of malted wheat and another combining wheat and malted barley. The final composition emphasizes layered grain character and increased complexity compared to the 2025 debut, according to Maker’s Mark Master Distiller Blake Layfield.

“The first release was bright and straightforward; this year we’ve dialed up the complexity,” Layfield said in a news release.

Focus on Regenerative Agriculture

The Star Hill Farm project is tied to Maker’s Mark’s broader sustainability efforts, including its work with the Estate Whiskey Alliance, which certifies whiskeys produced entirely on distillery-owned land using locally grown grains.

“My grandparents built Maker’s Mark on the belief that when we invest in the land, it gives back in flavor,” said eighth-generation whisky maker and managing director of Maker’s Mark Rob Samuels. “Star Hill Farm Whisky extends that vision by embracing ingredients sourced from regenerative agriculture.”

The release also builds on the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance, an initiative aimed at expanding regenerative farming practices across the spirits supply chain. The program has already helped convert tens of thousands of acres to certified regenerative agriculture.

Availability and Expansion

Star Hill Farm Whisky will be released in limited quantities across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and global travel retail channels. It will also be available at the Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, alongside an on-site experience tied to the Star Hill Farm property.