Maker’s Mark Releases Its First Non-Bourbon Whiskey

For the primary time since its founding greater than 70 years in the past, Maker’s Mark is releasing a wheat whiskey, marking the primary non-bourbon launch within the firm’s historical past.

The brand new, annual launch is dubbed Star Hill Farm Whisky, named after the 1,100-acre Kentucky farm that’s been residence to the Maker’s Mark distillery since 1953. After all, Maker’s Mark isn’t any stranger to wheat. Its wheated bourbon has lengthy featured a recipe (or mash invoice) of 70% corn, 16% purple winter wheat, and 14% malted barley. 

However Star Hill Farm Whisky is in one other class fully, and whereas the precise mix will shift from 12 months to 12 months, the inaugural launch is a mix of two mash payments: one distilled from 70% wheat and 30% malted barley, the opposite from 100 malted wheat. 

The mix’s derived mash invoice is 61% wheat, 20% malted wheat, and 19% malted barley. (As with its iconic bourbon, Maker’s Mark is utilizing gentle purple winter wheat.) The mix parts have been aged between seven and eight years, with all liquid distilled and barreled within the falls of 2016 and 2017. This primary launch is bottled at a cask power of 57.35% ABV, or 114.7 proof.

Design-curious shoppers can be stunned to study that along with Star Hill Farm Whisky’s distinctive bottle form, it forgoes the signature purple wax seal so many people affiliate with Maker’s Mark.

Federal rules dictate that American wheat whiskey should be produced from a mash of at the least 51% wheat. Whereas this isn’t a brand new class of spirit, wheat whiskey has turn into extra frequent lately as producers massive and small look to discover choices past the crowded bourbon market.

In accordance with Maker’s Mark grasp distiller Dr. Blake Layfield, creating and perfecting Star Hill Farm Whisky referred to as for ongoing experimentation by the model. 

“We stored our distillation parameters constant — identical mill, mash, yeast, fermentation time, and entry proof — our tried-and-true basis,” Layfield says, talking completely to Meals & Wine. “However then, we took a leap. We determined to let nature cleared the path, forgoing our ordinary barrel rotation, a follow we have honed for Maker’s Mark.”

Layfield notes that the result’s a whiskey that stands aside from the hallmark bourbon profile of Maker’s Mark.

Per the distiller, as you style the wheat whiskey you’ll discover “aromas of buttery caramel and golden raisins result in a palate that diverges from conventional bourbon, delivering honeyed toffee and apple pie spice. The end of toasted pecans and gentle cinnamon lends to a really approachable and gratifying whiskey that showcases the mild, inherent softness of wheat.”

Whereas the model isn’t divulging too many particulars but, a Maker’s Mark press launch implies that a variety of elements might change for future releases, from age to cask sort, mash invoice, and even perhaps grain selection. As with all new whiskies, solely time can reveal the true impression of maturation, and Layfield says experiments will proceed because the distillery tastes extra of its ageing wheat whiskey shares.

“We additionally dove deep into our wooden science experience, experimenting with totally different barrel varieties. We noticed how particular oaks might coax out layers of distinctive taste, whereas others revealed extra acquainted traits. How the flavour has continued to evolve previous seven to eight years has been an actual ‘wow’ second for all of us.”

Together with the discharge of Star Hill Farm Whisky, Maker’s Mark introduced a brand new objective to transition a million acres of its farmland to turn into regenerative-designated land over the subsequent three years. Regenerative agriculture advantages land by restoring soil well being, supporting biodiversity, and minimizing carbon emissions, amongst different environmental advantages.

The brand new spirit is the primary product to hold the Property Whiskey Certification, a designation awarded by the Property Whiskey Alliance, a consortium organized by the College of Kentucky. In accordance with a press launch, the brand new designation is supposed to focus on spirits produced totally on a distillery’s property, “utilizing grains sourced from estate-owned or managed land.”

Star Hill Farm Whisky carries a urged retail worth of $100 for a 750-milliliter bottle and can be out there at choose retailers in america and the UK beginning in Could 2025. The whiskey can be launched to the Australian market later this 12 months, and bottles may be bought by reserving a Star Hill Farm Whisky expertise on the model’s Loretto, Kentucky residence.