Maker’s Mark announced on Wednesday the debut of Star Hill Farm Whisky. The American red-topped bourbon brand known for spelling “whisky” without the “e” shared that the wheat whisky featured the distillery’s first new mashbill in 70 years.
The release will be available at select retailers in the United States starting mid-May, and the 114.7-proof whisky has a suggested retail price of $100.
For the inaugural whisky release, Star Hill Farm implements two mashbills. One is a mixture of 70% soft winter wheat and 30% malted barley and the other is composed exclusively of malted soft red winter wheat.
“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 in a statement. “This release is a complex yet balanced blend of seven- and eight-year whiskies, bottled uncut at cask strength. The nose captivates with notes of buttery caramel, golden raisins and gingerbread. On the palate, you’ll find a soft, bright mix of honeyed toffee, chocolate-covered cherries, and a hint of apple pie spice. The finish is smooth and inviting, with toasted pecans and soft cinnamon bringing it all together.”
The whisky takes its name after the farm where the Maker’s Mark Distillery sits: Star Hill Farm. The farm’s calling card is its distinctive water source and close distance to grain growers. The brand shared that the debut of Star Hill Farm Whisky marks an “alliance” with Regenified and Understanding Ag, an organization that helps farmers build stronger and healthier ecosystems.
“Guided by our founders’ pursuit of excellence and a higher purpose, we are proud to share our 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,” Eighth-Generation Whisky Maker and Managing Director of Maker’s Mark Rob Samuels said in a statement from the brand. “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.”
The Suntory Global-owned brand shared that Star Hill Farm Whisky will change each year, marking a sharp deviation from Maker’s Mark, a brand that has used the same mashbill for over 70 years. The shifting changes are meant to highlight and explore elements of nature and whiskymaking: wheat, water, wood and soil. The brand claims each ingredient will be grown with regenerative farming practices.
This latest release follows Maker’s Mark’s Wood Finishing Series that dropped in March. The release honored the bourbon brand’s warehouse team.
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