In the event you don’t suppose you recognize Star Hill Farm, you do: It’s the mother or father firm of Maker’s Mark, which isn’t simply well-known for its use of crimson wax to prime its bottles. It’s additionally (in all probability) the best-selling wheat-recipe bourbon on the earth. Wheated bourbon remains to be over 50% corn — Maker’s is 70% corn and 16% wheat, the remaining barley. Wheat whiskey — that’s one thing else.
Wheat whiskey needs to be over 50% wheat, which dramatically adjustments the profile of the spirit. And that’s why, after 70 years, for Maker’s/Star Hill to launch a wheat whiskey as a substitute of a bourbon is a fairly large deal.
The whiskey — whisky, in Maker’s spelling — is made on the similar distillery as Maker’s Mark, and it “represents a decade-long pursuit of taste by way of nature and a deepening dedication to regenerative agriculture because the distillery’s first-ever wheat whisky and new mashbill. This inaugural expression marks a brand new chapter for Maker’s Mark, reflecting the flavour potential of regeneratively grown grain and the terroir of the model’s 1,100-acre Star Hill Farm.”
In the event you don’t consider that, take a look at the label.
The distillery additionally notes: “With this launch, Maker’s Mark is scaling its sustainability mission by launching the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance. They’re committing to transition 1 million acres of farmland to regenerative practices over the following three years. The whisky additionally turns into the primary to hold Property Whiskey certification, setting a brand new normal in traceable, estate-grown distilling.”
The mashbill on this launch — which appears to be an annual affair — is 51% delicate crimson winter wheat, 27% malted delicate crimson winter wheat, and 22% malted barley.
Prepared? Let’s dive in.
Star Hill Farm American Wheat Whisky 2025 Evaluate
I’m the primary to confess that wheat whiskey usually rubs me the improper manner — too candy, with a powerful breakfast cereal vibe that I can’t readily shake. Star Hill Farm strikes about the identical manner, although it displays restraint: The nostril is heavy with brown sugar, honey, and a contact of the barrel — extra toasty than charred right here. A pinch of pepper brightens issues up, then some lemon curd and a notice of orange peel.
The palate doesn’t shock: It’s candy, with brown sugar, then maple syrup changing into dominant. Once more it’s fairly toasty — like well-grilled wheat bread, not barrel char — which pairs properly with the syrup high quality to create a Sunday morning breakfast character. Pancakes are usually not out of the query right here. Because the whiskey develops, notes of maraschino cherries (the grocery store variety) take issues right into a extra fruit-forward realm, alongside an echo of candied orange, approaching marmalade. Some baking spice dots the end, although that doesn’t do a lot to mood the candy assault, as a substitute hitting the again of the throat like a dusting of cinnamon throughout an enormous plate of baked items.
To recap: It’s candy however not fairly excessive. Not fairly.
A- / $100
Star Hill Farm American Wheat Whisky 2025
USD100
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