Star Hill Farms Wheat Whiskey

The Star Hill Farm Whisky 2025 Release is a highly anticipated limited-edition American wheat whiskey from the Maker’s Mark Distillery. As the first-ever wheat whisky in the distillery’s history, this inaugural release showcases Maker’s Mark’s innovation and commitment to flavor and sustainability. Aged for six years in charred oak barrels and bottled at cask strength 114.7 proof, it delivers a bold yet balanced tasting experience. Its dual mashbill recipe – one using 70% soft red winter wheat and 30% malted barley, the other a 100% malted wheat mash – completely eliminates corn to let the wheat shine. The result is a uniquely rich whiskey that marries the sweetness of winter wheat with malty depth, reflecting a decade-long project to unlock nature’s full flavor potential.

Mashbill & Production Highlights
Crafted on the historic grounds of Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky, this whiskey is made from two distinct wheat mashbills blended to perfection. The first mashbill features 70% soft red winter wheat (the same signature grain that Maker’s Mark bourbon uses) and 30% malted barley, while the second is 100% malted soft red winter wheat. By removing corn entirely from the recipe, Maker’s Mark created a true wheat whiskey that highlights the gentle sweetness and creamy mouthfeel of wheat grain. After over 6 years of maturation, the whiskies were married and bottled uncut at 114.7 proof, preserving full-bodied flavor and aroma straight from the barrel.

Notably, Star Hill Farm Whisky is produced using grains grown with regenerative farming practices on Maker’s Mark’s own Star Hill Farm. This approach to sustainable agriculture enriches the soil and amplifies the grain’s unique flavor in the final spirit. The whiskey is also non-chill filtered (like all Maker’s Mark expressions) to maintain its natural oils and complexity. Every aspect of production – from grain cultivation to distillation and aging – occurs on the distillery’s 1,100-acre estate, qualifying this release as an Estate Whiskey under a new designation highlighting local sourcing and on-site production. In fact, Star Hill Farm Whisky is among the first whiskies to carry an Estate Whiskey certification, underscoring the distillery’s grain-to-glass craftsmanship and terroir-driven character.

Tasting Notes
Upon pouring, Star Hill Farm Whisky greets you with a rich, inviting aroma. The nose offers buttery caramel, golden raisins, and warm gingerbread sweetness. On the palate, it’s soft yet bright, unfolding layers of honeyed toffee, chocolate-covered cherries, and a hint of apple pie spice. The mouthfeel is notably silky thanks to the wheat-heavy mashbills, and the high proof adds depth without overwhelming the delicate flavors. The finish is smooth and enveloping, with toasted pecans and soft cinnamon lingering pleasantly on the tongue. Overall, the flavor profile is complex yet approachable – a harmonious blend of dessert-like sweetness, gentle fruit and spice, and nutty warmth. Whiskey enthusiasts will appreciate how each sip balances the sweet wheat character with oak-driven notes from its 6 years in barrel, all delivered at cask strength for a robust tasting experience.

Brand Background
Star Hill Farm Whisky represents a new chapter for Maker’s Mark, a storied Kentucky distillery famed for its red wax-sealed bourbon. Founded in 1953 by Bill Samuels Sr. and his wife Margie on the Star Hill Farm property in Loretto, KY, Maker’s Mark has spent over 70 years perfecting one mashbill for its classic wheated bourbon. That mashbill – featuring soft red winter wheat as the flavor grain instead of rye – set Maker’s Mark apart in the bourbon world. Now, with this 2025 release, Maker’s Mark is debuting its first new mashbill since the distillery’s founding, focusing entirely on wheat grain for the first time. This is truly the first wheat whisky ever produced by Maker’s Mark, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s history and whiskey innovation.

The name “Star Hill Farm” pays homage to the distillery’s homeplace. The 1,100-acre Star Hill Farm – where every drop of Maker’s Mark is made – was originally chosen for its ideal limestone-rich water source and proximity to high-quality grain fields. To this day, Maker’s Mark continues to cultivate and source grains on its property and nearby farms, staying true to the Samuels family vision of a handmade whisky rooted in its local terroir. Maker’s Mark is also renowned for its commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability; it is the first bourbon distillery in Kentucky to achieve B Corp certification for its environmental and community efforts. The Star Hill Farm Whisky project embodies these values – it’s not only about creating new flavors, but doing so in harmony with nature. From partnering with regenerative agriculture experts to establishing the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance, the distillery is using this product line to champion sustainable farming while delivering exceptional whiskey. For fans of Maker’s Mark, the Star Hill Farm Whisky 2025 Release is a chance to taste the heritage of a classic brand merged with forward-thinking techniques – a true grain-to-glass expression of what soft red winter wheat can offer.

Availability & Buying Guide
The Star Hill Farm Whisky 2025 Release is a limited annual release, with the inaugural edition arriving in mid-2025. Only a limited number of bottles are produced, making it a sought-after whiskey for collectors and enthusiasts. In the United States, it is distributed through select specialty retailers nationwide. Nestor Liquor is proud to be a preferred retailer carrying this exclusive release, ensuring whiskey lovers can purchase a bottle with confidence from a trusted source. As a top online spirits retailer, Nestor Liquor offers the Star Hill Farm 2025 Release for convenient purchase and delivery while supplies last. Given the whiskey’s limited nature and high demand, interested buyers should act quickly to secure a bottle. Whether you’re a devoted Maker’s Mark fan eager to experience their newest creation or simply a whiskey connoisseur looking for something unique, Nestor Liquor is your go-to source for the Star Hill Farm Whisky 2025 Release.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Star Hill Farm Whisky 2025 Release? The Star Hill Farm Whisky 2025 Release is a limited-edition American wheat whiskey from Maker’s Mark Distillery. It’s the inaugural expression of a new annual series and the first-ever wheat whisky produced by Maker’s Mark. This whiskey is crafted from wheat-centric mashbills (with no corn), aged around six years, and bottled at cask strength 114.7 proof for a full-flavored experience.

What is the flavor profile of Star Hill Farm Whisky 2025?This whiskey offers a complex yet approachable flavor profile. You’ll find sweet notes of buttery caramel and honeyed toffee, balanced by fruit and spice hints like chocolate-covered cherry, apple pie spice, and gingerbread. The finish brings a warm nuttiness and gentle cinnamon spice, thanks to the wheat mash and charred oak aging. Overall, expect a rich, dessert-like sweetness with soft baking spices and a smooth, lingering finish.

How is the mashbill of Star Hill Farm Whisky composed? The 2025 release uses a dual mashbill approach. One mashbill is 70% soft red winter wheat and 30% malted barley, and the other is 100% malted wheat. These two wheat-heavy recipes are blended together. Importantly, there is no corn in either mashbill, which is unusual since most bourbons use corn. By eliminating corn, this whiskey shines a spotlight on the flavor of wheat grain, giving it a softer sweetness and creamy texture not found in traditional bourbon.

How long is Star Hill Farm Whisky aged? Star Hill Farm Whisky 2025 is aged for about 6 years in new charred oak barrels, allowing it to develop depth and complexity. (In fact, the whiskey is a mix of barrels aged roughly seven to eight years, but it’s generally characterized as a 6-year-old whiskey.) During those years of maturation, the whiskey gains its rich amber color and absorbs flavors of vanilla, oak, and baking spices from the barrel. The extended aging also helps integrate the dual mashbills, resulting in a smooth, balanced profile when bottled.

Is Star Hill Farm Whisky a bourbon? No – although it’s made by Maker’s Mark (famous for bourbon), Star Hill Farm Whisky is technically an American wheat whiskey, not a bourbon. To be bourbon, a whiskey’s mashbill must contain at least 51% corn. In Star Hill Farm’s case, there is 0% corn (it’s predominantly wheat), so it doesn’t meet the bourbon definition. Instead, it falls under the category of wheat whiskey. It’s a unique style that showcases wheat as the primary grain, offering a different flavor profile than a traditional bourbon. Fans of wheated bourbons (like Maker’s Mark) will find familiar soft sweetness, but in an even more pronounced way.