What distillery apart from Maker’s Mark does a lot cool stuff past whiskey making?
Does another U.S. model dedicate a swath of an 1,100-acre campus to the cultivation of estate-grown grain and grazing livestock? What different U.S. model has an enormous Eden-like backyard to supply greens, herbs, flowers and mushrooms, for heaven’s sake, for its mixology and culinary applications?
Maker’s is house to 2 unmatched non-public barrel choice experiences: one in a man-made “whisky cave,” and one other in a luxe tasting room overlooking the lake from which the distillery attracts water for manufacturing. (Within the occasion of a nuclear conflict, I hope I’m on the deck overlooking the lake when these missiles launch.)
Individuals name it Whisky Disneyland for good motive. It appears there’s by no means a blade of grass misplaced, a hand-cut stone that appears suspiciously plastic or something as gauche as whiskey stones in its present store. The customer middle alone is an artwork gallery with rotating reveals.
It’s particularly that ethos—that “we create the best stuff” confidence—which makes the discharge of its 2025 Star Hill Farm American Wheat Whisky not all that stunning. Why wouldn’t the model whose operators swore for seven many years they might by no means create a brand new mash invoice, do precisely that and twice over? (One mash invoice incorporates one hundred pc malted wheat, and the second incorporates 70 p.c wheat and 30 p.c malted barley.)
And why wouldn’t those self same model operators, who, over those self same seven many years proudly proclaimed its dedication to the torturous work of barrel rotation—not rotate barrels for the brand new wheat whiskey? These barrels, although, obtained some cool twists: some with French oak heads, others made solely from French oak however with their staves’ insides “grooved” for elevated wooden affect.
At its easiest, Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky is a superb drink, a scrumptious and complicated instance of this small however increasing spirits class.
However simply as importantly, its creation and launch marks Rob Samuel’s most important impression on the model based by his grandfather, T.W. Samuels, and fostered ferociously by his father, Invoice Samuel’s, Jr.
As Maker’s managing director and eighth era whisky maker, Rob Samuels is aware of he’s lucky to face on the shoulders of these giants to execute this new enterprise, one which even transcends precise whiskey making. All of it begins with sustainability and dirt-first initiatives centered on regenerative farming. His devotion to this trigger contains sharing regenerative farming insights in alliance with Regenified and Understanding Ag, a supplier of schooling and technical help to construct wholesome farm ecosystems.
In keeping with a information launch, “the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance will invite farms, bars and eating places—beginning in New York, Kentucky and higher London—to affix its mission: pledging to undertake regenerative practices in sourcing and operations, whereas selling its advantages by way of menu storytelling and client engagement.”
That features the transitioning 1 million acres of standard farmland to regenerative farmland over the following three years. That’s a whole lot of good finished to a whole lot of filth.
Moreover, as a member of the newly based Property Whiskey Alliance, Maker’s Star Hill Farm American Wheat Whiskey (let’s shorten that to SHFAWW) is the primary EWA-certified product. Attaining that designation requires a distillery’s manufacturing processes, together with milling, cooking, fermentation, distillation, barreling, ageing and bottling happen on the property distillery. It additionally mandates no less than two-thirds of all mash invoice grains are grown on estate-owned or managed land.
Such initiatives usually are private causes of scions rising by way of the ranks of their dad and mom’ profitable manufacturers, and never all such ardour initiatives succeed. However this one, absolutely fueled by that Maker’s moxie and Samuels’ dedication to it, appears a fait accompli.
“The inspiration for Star Hill Farm Whisky was to pursue the vary of taste that might be achieved from wheat,” he stated. “That extends to varietals, soil well being and farming practices. … The proceeds from the sale of Star Hill Farm Whisky will assist propel regenerative farming practices.”
Talking like his grandfather and father, Samuels then tied it again to the precise style of the product. “By way of stewardship of nature, we are going to push taste boundaries, and by bettering soil well being, we in the end profit taste.”
This primary SHFAWW launch—due out in Might and slated to grow to be an annual launch—is a mix of each mash payments and their whiskies aged 7 to eight years, and bottled at 114.7 proof (57.35% ABV).
Dr. Blake Layfield, who just lately was made Maker’s grasp distiller, describes it this manner: “The nostril captivates with notes of buttery caramel, golden raisins and gingerbread. On the palate, you’ll discover a comfortable, vibrant mixture of honeyed toffee, chocolate-covered cherries, and a touch of apple pie spice. The end is easy and alluring, with toasted pecans and comfortable cinnamon bringing all of it collectively.”
I can’t high that description and even add to it apart from to say it’s the richest, most full-bodied wheat whiskey I’ve ever drunk. There have been a number of terrific entries to the class over the previous couple of years, a few of which we’ve reviewed. However this one’s a standout: lush in aroma and texture and fruit-centric like middle-age rye whiskies.
Priced at $100 and set for launch within the U.S. and the UK, I feel it is a truthful purchase for the trouble put into creating it, the larger mission behind it, and the consequence you get.
