Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky 2026 Review

Maker’s Mark
Star Hill Farm
American Wheat Whisky
2026 Release
116.4 Proof
SRP: $100
Review

Please enjoy our Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky 2026 Review!

Background — Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky 2026 Review

This year marks the second annual release of Maker’s Mark’s Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky series. Last year, Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky represented Maker’s Mark’s first new mash bill and first wheat whiskey in 70 years. Unlike the distillery’s traditional bourbon mash bill, the Star Hill Farm series explores wheat whiskey and how different wheat varieties influence flavor.

The 2026 release builds on the inaugural 2025 edition by incorporating hard red and hard white wheat alongside Maker’s Mark’s signature soft red winter wheat. According to Maker’s Mark, the goal is to showcase how grain diversity contributes to flavor through distillation, maturation, and blending. The whiskey is composed of seven and eight-year-old whiskeys and bottled at cask strength.

Regenerative Agriculture and Estate Whiskey Certification

Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky serves as a showcase for Maker’s Mark’s regenerative agriculture efforts. The whiskey also carries Estate Whiskey Certification from the Estate Whiskey Alliance. According to the Alliance, certified products must be produced on the estate distillery, and at least two-thirds of all mash bill grains must be grown on estate-owned or controlled land.

Details — Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky 2026 Review

• Distillery: Maker’s Mark
• Expression: Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky 2026
• Type: Wheat Whisky
• Wheat Varieties: Soft red winter wheat, hard red wheat, and hard white wheat
• Age: Blend of seven and eight-year-old whiskies
• Mash Bills: 100% malted wheat and 70% wheat / 30% malted barley
• Final Blend: 27% wheat, 62% malted wheat, 11% malted barley
• Certification: Estate Whiskey Alliance Certified
• Proof: 116.4
• ABV: 58.2%
• MSRP: $100
• Availability: Limited release

Tasting Notes

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose: Sweet raspberries, black cherry soda, toffee, caramel, tart orange citrus, hints of milk chocolate, mild oak, mild graininess.
👉🏻 Taste: Caramel, toffee, sweet raspberry, tannins, tart orange citrus, mild oak.
👉🏻 Finish: Fairly dry; tannins, tart citrus, mild oak, moderate capsaicin spice, mild char later on; fairly long.

A Fruit-Forward Whiskey with a Drying Finish — Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky 2026 Review

Like last year’s release, this whiskey opened up considerably by the second time I tried it, which was a few days after opening the bottle. The nose became richer, with the toffee and caramel becoming more noticeable.

The nose has plenty of fruit, first with sweet raspberries upfront and black cherry soda in the background. There are also confectionery flavors and richness, with toffee, caramel and hints of milk chocolate. Mild oak and graininess provide additional depth, as well.

The palate starts off mildly sweet and rich from the caramel, toffee, and raspberries. However, those notes are fairly quickly joined by tart orange citrus and a mild degree of oak.

The fairly long finish quickly becomes relatively dry, with tannins and tart citrus. There is also mild oak, and developing capsaicin spice and mild char later on.

How Does the 2026 Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky Compare to the 2025 Release?

The 2026 Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky makes an interesting transition from being fairly fruit-forward and rich with confectionery notes at the start, to turning quite dry, with tannins, spice and mild char at the end. Honestly, the finish took me a bit by surprise. It once again proves, however, that wheat is not simply a filler, but adds quite a bit of character of its own, as well as spice.

When compared to the 2025 release, the 2026 Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky has many similar notes. However, the balance is a bit different, with the richer flavors, being somewhat more evident throughout last year’s edition, and the finish also being a bit less tannic and dry. For my palate, I prefer the 2025 edition over the 2026. However, your results may vary. Nonetheless, that is not to say I don’t enjoy the 2026 release; I do. And it certainly may continue to evolve as it opens up.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of wheat whiskeys, you’ll want to give the 2026 Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky a try. While I prefer the balance of the 2025 release, I still enjoy the 2026 edition and look forward to revisiting it after it has had a chance to evolve.

Have you tried the Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky 2026? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky 2026 Review! Next, read these related articles: Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky 2025 Review and Wheat Whiskey Showdown.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand and the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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