The Soul of Star Hill Farm: Amanda Humphrey on Bourbon's Living Legacy & Makers Mark

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Amanda Humphrey takes us behind the scenes at Star Hill Farm,
home of Maker's Mark, where tradition meets innovation across
1,100 acres of working farmland. We explore how this iconic
bourbon brand is pioneering sustainable practices while
maintaining their founder's vision through innovative
wood-finishing techniques and an uncompromising commitment to
flavor.

• Amanda's journey from London bartender to Maker's Mark advocacy
and experience leader
• The importance of terroir in bourbon and how 86% of ingredients
come from the local area
• Using 55 beehives, Wagyu cattle, and a truffle-hunting dog to
create a self-sustaining farm
• How the Heritage Collection and wood-finishing series evolved
from Maker's classic profile
• The significance of the Maker's Mark stamp and its connection
to pewter craftsmanship
• Creating the world's first genetically sequenced oak tree to
preserve American white oak
• Seven unique Star Hill Farm experiences beyond the traditional
distillery tour
• Women's growing leadership presence throughout the bourbon
industry

Visit makermark.com to explore the immersive experiences at Star
Hill Farm and discover their latest wood-finishing
releases.



Step onto the hallowed grounds of Star Hill Farm with us as
Amanda Humphrey reveals the magic behind Maker's Mark's
1,100-acre whiskey wonderland. From the moment we sit at the
founders' original kitchen table—where the iconic bourbon was
first conceived through bread recipes—we're immersed in a world
where tradition and innovation dance together in perfect
harmony.

Amanda's journey from London bartender to Maker's Mark advocate
embodies the global appeal of this distinctly Kentucky brand. Her
passion for the distillery's sustainable practices illuminates
how Maker's Mark has evolved from a single expression to a
portfolio that honors its wheated bourbon DNA while exploring new
dimensions of flavor through wood science.

What sets Star Hill Farm apart isn't just what goes into the
bottle—it's the holistic ecosystem they've created. With 55 bee
boxes producing honey for cocktails, Katahdin sheep maintaining
the soil, a Wagyu cattle program finished on spent grain, and
even a truffle-hunting Lagotto dog named Star, this is bourbon
production reimagined as regenerative agriculture. "Bourbon is an
agricultural product, it's nature distilled," Amanda explains,
revealing how 86% of ingredients consumed on-site come from the
immediate area.

Perhaps most remarkable is Maker's Mark's 200-year vision for
environmental stewardship. They've established the world's
largest white oak research forest and created the first
genetically sequenced American white oak tree in history—a living
library of 540 million pairs of DNA that will inform conservation
efforts for generations to come.

We taste through their latest innovations, including the
just-about-to-be-released Keeper's Release from their
wood-finishing series, which showcases the expertise of their
warehouse team with notes of honey, butterscotch, and cinnamon
French toast. Yet even as they innovate, that distinctive Maker's
Mark profile remains the north star.

Whether you're a bourbon aficionado or simply curious about
sustainable spirits production, this episode offers a fascinating
glimpse into how one of America's most beloved bourbon brands is
creating flavors rooted in place while safeguarding the future of
whiskey


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