Maker’s Mark Launches First Ever Wheat Whisky with Visual Identity from Turner Duckworth
Maker’s Mark has launched Star Hill Farm Whisky with a visual identity designed by Publicis Groupe’s Turner Duckworth. The product marks the distillery’s first new mashbill and first ever wheat whisky, and aims to celebrate the role regenerative agriculture plays in creating healthier soil, better flavour and a more sustainable future.
“Guided by our founders' pursuit of excellence and a higher purpose, we are proud to share Star Hill Farm Whisky with the world — a 10-year journey to unlock nature’s depth of flavour, resulting in something new from the Maker’s Mark Distillery," said Rob Samuels, eighth-generation whisky maker and managing director, Maker’s Mark. “The launch of Star Hill Farm Whisky will expand our platform to advance regenerative agriculture beyond our business, fostering a more sustainable future for our industry, people and planet.”
The Star Hill Farm Whisky visual identity aims to capture the essence of the farm and a bold vision for the future of whisky agriculture. According to the brand and Turner Duckworth, the bottle design is meant to feel very handmade and perfectly imperfect, evoking Maker’s Mark but feeling unique and distinctive. The main label is a thick natural paper stock, made from recycled wheat fibres and Maker's Mark label paper waste to give a strong textured feel. The embossing in glass is meant to reinforce quality and craftsmanship. Visual contrast between the organic forms and textures of nature are balanced with the technical precision of engineering and human innovation, while the cork is natural and agglomerated with stone-like ceramic to evoke limestone.
Jared Britton, creative director at Turner Duckworth, said, "With Star Hill Farm Whisky’s bold vision and real commitment to pushing the category forward, we wanted to move beyond the traditional Prohibition-era aesthetic that dominates American whisky brands. We drew inspiration from wine, luxury beauty, and sustainable fashion to create a design that feels contemporary, rooted in nature, and rich with a sense of place. Our hope is that this brand sparks a deeper appreciation for the farm and land as a destination with its own unique personality."
While Maker’s Mark has used the same mashbill for over 70 years to create a balanced and consistent bourbon, Star Hill Farm Whisky will evolve each year, exploring flavours that soil, wheat, water and wood impart to quality ingredients when expertly blended, aged and grown regeneratively. The inaugural release will highlight soft red winter wheat — the distinctive grain in Maker’s Mark’s mashbill — and will remove corn entirely, allowing the wheat to shine. The 2025 release of Star Hill Farm Whisky is crafted from two mashbills: one with 70% soft red winter wheat and 30% malted barley, and the other with 100% malted soft red winter wheat.
“We’re proud to introduce the first wheat whisky in our distillery’s history, one that showcases our vision and innovation and honours the land that makes it all possible,” said Dr. Blake Layfield, master distiller, Maker’s Mark. “This release is a complex yet balanced blend of seven- and eight-year whiskies, bottled uncut at cask strength. The nose captivates with notes of buttery caramel, golden raisins and gingerbread. On the palate, you’ll find a soft, bright mix of honeyed toffee, chocolate covered cherries, and a hint of apple pie spice. The finish is smooth and inviting, with toasted pecans and soft cinnamon bringing it all together.”
Partnering to Advance Regenerative Agriculture
Star Hill Farm Whisky is named after the 1,100-acre farm that is home to the Maker’s Mark Distillery, chosen by its founders, Margie and Bill Samuels Sr., in 1953 for its unique water source and proximity to grain growers. Maker’s Mark still owns, protects and enriches its watershed and land. Today, Maker’s Mark is the first and only bourbon distillery to achieve B Corp Certification in Kentucky and the first distillery globally to achieve certification from Regenified, the leading regenerative certification company.
With the launch of Star Hill Farm Whisky, Maker’s Mark has formed an alliance with Regenified and Understanding Ag, which provides education and technical support to build healthy farm ecosystems. The Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance will invite farms, bars and restaurants — starting in New York, Kentucky and greater London — to join its mission: pledging to adopt regenerative practices in sourcing and operations, while promoting its benefits through menu storytelling and consumer engagement.
Star Hill Farm Whisky will be the first to carry an Estate Whiskey certification — a new designation by The Estate Whiskey Alliance group established by the University of Kentucky to highlight the advantages of local sourcing and sustainable production in the whiskey industry. Estate whiskey refers to a category that is produced entirely on the distillery estate, using grains sourced from estate owned or controlled land.
