Estate Whiskey Alliance

06/02/2026

A recent InsideHook review explores how Maker's Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky is helping reshape the conversation around wheat whisky through a focus on traceability and transparency in estate production.

The article highlights Star Hill Farm's distinction as the first whiskey to earn Estate Whiskey Certified status and explores how the annual release is being used to showcase the connection between grain, farming practices and flavor.

As producers continue to explore how grain varieties and agricultural practices influence whiskey, it's exciting to see these conversations reaching new audiences across the industry.

Read the article here: https://www.insidehook.com/whiskey/makers-mark-star-hill-wheat-whisky-2026-review

The distillery’s second Star Hill release is a lofty wheated experiment

05/13/2026

A recent Cultured Magazine feature explores how Maker's Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky has become part of a much larger conversation around regenerative agriculture, provenance and the future of American whiskey.

The article highlights how estate-grown grain, land stewardship and full on-site production are increasingly shaping the way producers and consumers think about whiskey, while also noting the growing momentum behind organizations like the Estate Whiskey Alliance.

It’s exciting to see these ideas continue reaching broader audiences as the conversation around estate whiskey evolves beyond the industry itself.

Read the article here: https://www.culturedmag.com/article/2026/05/04/food-makers-mark-whiskey-star-hill-farms/

05/01/2026

A new release from an EWA member.

Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. has introduced its Oaxacan Green Bourbon, an Estate Whiskey Certified whiskey made with estate-grown grain and a true farm-to-glass approach.

It’s always exciting to see members continuing to innovate while staying rooted in the land.

04/24/2026

A recent Forbes article explores how Maker's Mark is working toward becoming the first Regenified Certified distillery and highlights that Star Hill Farm Whisky was the first Estate Whiskey Certified release.

It’s encouraging to see more recognition for producers investing in healthier soil, transparent sourcing and land-driven whiskey.

Read more:

Maker’s Mark wants its whiskey to reflect the land from which it comes. Restoring that land makes better grain and better whiskey. It will take years of patience.

04/22/2026

Maker's Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky is back for 2026.

The new release continues the story of the first Estate Whiskey Certified bottle, produced entirely on the Maker’s Mark estate using estate-grown or estate-controlled grain.

This year’s edition introduces new wheat varietals and a more complex flavor profile, showing how whiskey tied closely to the land can continue to evolve each year.

A great moment for estate whiskey and the future of American spirits.

Read about the release from The Whiskey Wash:

What happens when Maker's Mark adds hard red and white wheat to its groundbreaking mash bill? The 2026 Star Hill Farm cask strength release answers definitively.

04/10/2026

Fred Minnick recently shared the news of Ballindalloch Distillery joining the Estate Whiskey Alliance.

This marks another important step in the continued growth of the Alliance and the broader conversation around estate whiskey, provenance and land-driven distilling.

Read the article here:

The University of Kentucky’s Estate Whiskey Alliance (EWA) announced that Ballindalloch Distillery has joined as its newest member.

04/09/2026

Another exciting feature for Frey Ranch Distillery.

The Whiskey Wash recently covered the launch of Frey Ranch’s new Farm Strength Uncut Rye and also referenced the distillery’s involvement in the Estate Whiskey Alliance.

It’s always encouraging to see estate-driven production and land-based whiskey continue to gain visibility across the industry.

Read the article here:

What happens when a Nevada farm-to-glass distillery bottles 100% Canadian Winter Rye at full cask strength? Frey Ranch's newest core expression answers boldly.

04/08/2026

Congratulations to Autumn Nethery on her promotion to Vice President of Operations at Jeptha Creed Distillery.

Recently featured by The Spirits Business, the announcement reflects the continued growth of a distillery that has remained deeply committed to transparency, education and its farm-driven production model.

It’s also encouraging to see the article reference Jeptha Creed’s participation in the Estate Whiskey Alliance, reinforcing the growing visibility of estate whiskey and the values that define it.

Read more about Autumn's promotion from The Spirit's Business:

Autumn Nethery, co-owner of Jeptha Creed, has moved into the role of vice-president of operations at the Kentucky distillery.

04/07/2026

A new University of Kentucky Extension publication highlights an important reality for today’s whiskey market: as the category continues to grow and competition intensifies, clear differentiation matters more than ever.

In Bourbon’s Boom: Growth, Trends, and the Role of Agriculture, the Estate Whiskey Certified designation is referenced as an example of how producers can distinguish their products through verified provenance, agricultural connection and estate-based production.

As more brands enter the marketplace, third-party standards like EWC help create meaningful separation — not through storytelling alone, but through measurable production practices that connect whiskey back to the land.

This publication is a valuable reminder that estate whiskey is not only a production model, but an increasingly important way to communicate value in a crowded and evolving category.

Read the publication:https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/sites/publications.ca.uky.edu/files/AEN181-Bourbons-Boom-Growth-Trends-and-the-Role-of-Agriculture.pdf

04/06/2026

Another exciting milestone from Frey Ranch Distillery.

Recently featured by Breaking Bourbon, Frey Ranch announced the launch of its new Farm Strength Uncut Rye. Made from 100% estate-grown rye and produced entirely on the Frey Ranch farm in Nevada, the release reflects the kind of land-driven production that continues to define the estate whiskey movement.

As a member of the Estate Whiskey Alliance, Frey Ranch continues to demonstrate how provenance, transparency and agricultural stewardship can shape both the process and the final whiskey.

Read more on Breaking Bourbon:

New 6-Year-Old Cask Strength Rye Joins Highly Successful Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon as Part of the Farm-to-Glass Distillery’s Flagship Portfolio.