LORETTO, Ky. (April 22, 2026) – Following its award-winning debut, Maker’s Mark has officially announced the second annual release of Star Hill Farm Whisky. As the brand’s first new mash bill in 70 years, the 2026 expression expands its global footprint to Japan and Global Travel Retail while deepening its commitment to regenerative agriculture.
Named the World’s Best Wheat Whisky 2026, this year’s release shifts the spotlight from the brand’s signature soft red winter wheat to a complex blend of hard red and hard white wheat. The result is a darker, more layered profile that showcases how grain diversity and soil health translate directly into the glass.
A New Chapter in Wheat Whisky
The 2026 release is a cask-strength blend of seven and eight-year whiskies. While the 2025 inaugural bottle was noted for its brightness, Master Distiller Dr. Blake Layfield notes that this year’s version “dials up the complexity.”
- The Blend: 27% wheat, 62% malted wheat, and 11% malted barley.
- Tasting Notes: Aromas of molasses, fig, and baking spices; a palate of zesty citrus, ripe pear, and shortbread; finishes with soft cinnamon.
- Proof: 116.4 ($58.2\%$ ABV).
- SRP: $100 USD.
“My grandparents built Maker’s Mark on the belief that when we invest in the land, it gives back in flavor,” said Rob Samuels, eighth-generation whisky maker. “Star Hill Farm Whisky extends that vision by embracing ingredients sourced from regenerative agriculture.”
Certified Sustainability
Star Hill Farm 2026 carries the Estate Whiskey Alliance® (EWA) certification, verifying that the grain is grown and distilled entirely on the distillery estate. Beyond the bottle, the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance has already helped transition 58,000 acres of conventional farmland to regenerative practices in just one year.
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