Up next in 10
This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re heading into July 4th weekend with a packed lineup of whiskey and gaming news before reviewing one of Maker’s Mark’s biggest experiments yet: Star Hill Farm 2026. Bulleit just announced its oldest rye ever: a 20-year-old, 137-proof release limited to 1,776 bottles for America’s 250th anniversary. Redwood Empire is also back with Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon, a new $40 four-grain release blending Northern California grain-to-glass whiskey with Kentucky and Indiana high-wheat bourbon. We also talk about Dragon Con Bourbon, a nerdy collaboration with Atlanta’s Old Fourth Distillery, and Sweetens Cove Father’s Finish, a bourbon finished in cuvée wine barrels with a golf-themed cork design. On the gaming side, Nintendo finally brings Star Fox to the Switch 2 with a modern remake of Star Fox 64. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 2026. This is not bourbon. It’s an American wheat whiskey made with 27% wheat, 62% malted wheat, and 11% malted barley, designed to highlight estate-grown grain and regenerative agriculture at Maker’s Mark. At 116.4 proof and around $120, Star Hill Farm 2026 brings cola, vanilla cream, tart cherry, powdered sugar, brûléed sugar, and dessert-like sweetness. But does it deliver enough complexity to justify the price? Topics covered: • Bulleit 20 Year Rye • Redwood Empire Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon • Dragon Con Bourbon • Sweetens Cove Father’s Finish • Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 • Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 2026 review • Final score and whether it’s worth buying Would you pay $100-$120 for Maker’s Mark’s new wheat whiskey experiment? YouTube Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro – Bulleit, Dragon Con, Star Fox & Star Hill Farm 00:28 Welcome + July 4th Weekend Setup 01:14 Bulleit 20 Year Rye 03:07 Redwood Empire Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon 03:59 Dragon Con Bourbon 05:23 Sweetens Cove Father’s Finish 06:24 Star Fox Comes to Nintendo Switch 2 07:53 Byte-Sized Review – Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 2026 15:56 Outro + Community Question
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0:00
Today on the Bourbon Bites Podcast, Bullet drops a massive 20-year-old rye, we have an
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official Dragon Con Bourbon, and Nintendo finally brings Star Fox to the Switch 2
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Then, I have a bite-sized review of the new Maker's Marks Star Hill Farm 2026
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hello everyone and welcome to the bourbon bites podcast i'm your host clifton and this is the week
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of july 2nd 2026 we are now in the full swing of summer i know the july 4th weekend is coming up
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and hopefully you all are going to have a fantastic long weekend
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We don't do anything too crazy here. There's a local park that shoots off fireworks that we can walk to
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so we'll probably walk down there and enjoy the show. Maybe have a to-go cup of bourbon on the way
1:00
But not only is it getting warm, the whiskey drops are getting hotter this year
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So get yourself a glass poured or a coffee, depending on when you're listening to this
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and let's get into the hottest topics of the week. The first of which was announced last week, and this is the oldest rye ever from Bullet
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So this is limited to just 1,776 bottles, obviously to honor the nation's 250th anniversary
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And it's made up of their 95.5 mash bill. Now, I'm really excited because I love Indiana rye whiskey
1:33
Now, what's interesting is this was aged in Kentucky, but distilled in Indiana
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So it's going to have a lot of the effects of the Kentucky heat on it. but of course that delicious Indiana rye that we've come to know and love
1:46
Now what's crazy interesting is this is also going to be released at Cast Strength
1:49
and it's going to be 137 proof. So nearly hazmat rye whiskey
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Now of course it's going to be hard to get your hands on a bottle. Retail on it's going to be about $300
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but I think it's incredible to see such a highly aged rye whiskey at a massive proof
2:07
You know with Bullet I feel like a lot of times they'll release high age stuff but lower proof or vice versa, high proof stuff and lower age. So seeing them come out with a
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special release gets me really excited. I hope it becomes a trend to continue to release older rye
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whiskeys. I'm a big fan of bullet 12 year rye. So I don't know if I'll get my hands on this with
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there being such limited allocation of it. But knowing how much I love Indiana rye, never had
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it quite that old. I think I've had 13 years, six months is the oldest Indiana rye I've had
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but that was incredible. I think that was 120 proof. So I can only imagine this is going to be
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pretty darn great at 20 years old. It also could be over-oaked. You never know. I mean, again
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rye whiskey is such an interesting category. The only time I've had older rye whiskey than that is
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like Canadian whiskey, but that's such a different category. I don't think it really exemplifies what
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an Indiana rye could taste like at that age. So if you have a chance to try this, let me know
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Do you think it's over-oaked or do you think it's just right? I would love to hear your thoughts
3:08
Now, in direct contrast to this $300 bullet, Redwood Empire is releasing a budget bottle for just $39.99
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This is a four-grain expression that marries their Northern California grain-to-glass spirit
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with four to 14-year-old high-wheat bourbons from both Kentucky and Indiana. And they're calling this the Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon
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So even though it's a four grain, it is going to be considered a weeded bourbon. The mash bill is 59% corn, 30% wheat, 6% rye, and 5% malted barley
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And it's going to come in at 94 proof. Now this is a small barrel blend, or relatively small
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122 barrels went into this. And yeah, I think it's great to see a Redwood Empire release coming in at a really good price point
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Definitely one I'm going to keep an eye out for. I don't expect it to impress me like some of their high-end stuff, but love to see it
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Now, another one that caught my eye just because of the whole nerddom of this podcast
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DragonCon, which is one of the largest multimedia pop culture conventions in the United States
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they've actually just announced their DragonCon Bourbon. And this is their second annual release of this and I had no idea that DragonCon Spirits even existed It a collaboration with Atlanta based Old Forth Distillery and Dragon Con co to celebrate the convention 40th
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anniversary. It's a limited edition high rye bourbon and it's aged between four to six years old
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and bottled at 94 proof. Interestingly enough this is also priced at $40, same price as that new
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Redwood Empire release. But I didn't know this was a thing. I love to see nerd culture come together
4:45
and make cool spirits. Now, they've also previously released a vodka. They actually have a mead, which is really cool
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But yeah, this is a bourbon. Now, looking at the source, this is MGP bourbon
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so they're very straightforward with that, but it has been aged in Atlanta. So it looks like you can get your bottles of this
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at Dragon Con coming up later this year in about two months. It's in the beginning of September
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and they'll offer bottle engraving. So if anyone's going to that, let me know
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I wish I could make it to Atlanta. I mean, there's always such fun conventions happening there
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Being on the West Coast, it's a little bit harder, but really, really cool
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I'm hoping to see more fun, nerdy collaborations like that. Now, Father's Day was just last weekend, but there are two new spirits that I'm reading about that I imagine were probably released for the occasion
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So the first of which is from Sweetens Cove, and they're releasing their Father's Finish bourbon
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Not sure about that name, but it is a $70 bourbon. It says it is a blend of aged bourbons incorporating a magnetic removable ball marker in their unique cork design
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So I had to do a double take. I didn't know what they meant by that, but I assume it's to do with golfing
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That kind of is the theme here with Sweetin's Cove. They've done quite a bit of new releases lately to kind of distance themselves from their first releases
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They have a six-year-old bourbon. They have a five-year-old Tennessee bourbon. This one doesn't have an age statement, but is a blend of Kentucky and Tennessee whiskeys
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And it is finished in cuvee wine barrels. It's going to be released at 98 proof
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But yeah, I think it was a Father's Day release, but it is still available to the public. So if you're looking for a special gift for a father or dad figure in your life
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maybe consider giving them a father's finish. All right, well, before I get into my bite-sized review
6:24
I do want to mention a new video game release that has people talking
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So this is the new release of Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2
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So, you know, all the big flashy things about a new Star Fox game were a little bit misleading
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Technically, it's a remake of Star Fox 64, but it's been updated with all of the latest graphics and mechanics of a modern game
6:47
But if you look at it, it actually is a truly faithful-looking addition of this game
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Personally, I've only played a little bit of Star Fox 64. I was a big fan of the Super Nintendo game when I was little
6:59
So I'm really excited about this re-release. People say they've really nailed the nostalgic element of Star Fox
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They didn't overcomplicate it. The controls are pretty similar based on what I've seen on gameplay footage
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And people are hopeful that this can signal an era of new modern Star Fox games
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It's an amazing IP. Like I said, I love the brand. I love the characters. I love the voices of the characters
7:21
So when I saw this coming out, I thought it was going to be a new story. But hearing that it's kind of just a rehash of Star Fox 64, it's a little bit disappointing
7:29
But again, people are hopeful that this is going to reignite an interest in the franchise
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and maybe lead to future Star Fox games. I would 100% be here for it. I'll probably pick this up if it goes on sale. Like I said
7:41
I'm not in a huge rush to play this. I can always play the classic ones if I need to
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but I didn't want to talk about it since this just came out. I think it was either last week
7:49
or early this week, but people are definitely talking about it. Well, I know this is a very
7:54
loose tie, but our bite-sized review also has to do with the stars. So let's get into it
8:06
All right, well, like I said, it's a loose connection, but I'm reviewing the new Star
8:13
Hill Farm from Maker's Mark. Now, this is the 2026 release. I didn't have a chance to try the 2025
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but I heard good things about it. It's actually their first new mash bill that they've ever
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released at Maker's Mark. Of course, talking about last year's, but this is the first new
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whiskey from the brand in 70 years It actually their first wheat whiskey because Maker Mark is a wheated bourbon but it still a bourbon It still more corn This has more wheat in the mash bill than corn Actually it 27 wheat 62 malted wheat and 11 malted barley
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So there's no corning here at all. And they say the goal of Star Hill Farm Whiskey is to celebrate the role regenerative agriculture plays
8:56
to create healthier soil and better flavor. So each of these, they partner with local farmers to show the nuances and influence of land in whiskey making
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Now, last year, this became the first whiskey to earn an estate whiskey certification
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And this one continues that tradition with the Estate Whiskey Alliance. This is established by the University of Kentucky to highlight local sourcing and sustainable production and recognize whiskey producers entirely on the distillery estate using grains grown on a state owned or controlled land
9:28
So, again, I'm a huge fan of this. I love a state grown whiskey or a state distilled products
9:34
Even small farmers just trying their distillate to me is so, so special
9:38
So when Maker's Mark first announced this, I was really excited to get my hands on it
9:42
By the way, this one comes in at 116.4 proof. It comes in a 700ml bottle, and the price was about $120
9:50
So up there for a Maker's Mark product, for sure. Now I will note there's not an age statement on this whiskey
9:55
but they do tell you that the grains were harvested, distilled, and barreled in both fall of 2017 and fall of 2018
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So I would guess this whiskey is between six and eight years old. But again, no age statement here
10:07
I think that's an interesting choice, especially for a high-end bottle. You would think they would have an age statement on it, but they give you a little bit of info
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here, like I said. So let's go ahead and get this whiskey poured and see how it is
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By the way, if you are new to the podcast or channel, I typically do love high-end Maker's
10:23
Mark products. I always used to say that the only Maker's Mark I don't like is the regular Maker's Mark
10:29
but everything from the 46 to the cast strengths to the private selects to the wood finishing series
10:34
I've been a fan of so this being my first new addition to the makers mark lineup in a couple
10:39
years I'm pretty excited let's go in and give it a nose and see what's going on oh interesting
10:45
there's like a sweet effervescence that's kind of happening here it kind of reminds me of when you
10:50
just pour a soda and you're getting a little bit of that tingly on the the nose as you're you know
10:55
pouring it into your mouth. I'm getting a little bit of cola notes here, along with a lot of
11:01
sweetness. It's a lot sweeter than most colas are. Definitely some like vanilla creaminess on the
11:06
nose, maybe a touch of cherry, but it's like a tart cherry versus like a sweeter maraschino or
11:12
luxardo cherry. You're getting a little bit of that wheat grain note that you get on some, you
11:17
know, smaller or craft weeded bourbons and wheat whiskeys. Not like barnyard-y in some ways like
11:22
some of these do. It definitely is more like a traditional whiskey nose. Honestly, it smells
11:28
pretty similar to some Maker's Mark I've had before. Not getting too much oak here. Again
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we don't know the age on it, but I'm hoping to see a little bit more complexity on the palate
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because the nose is sweet. It's nice, but nothing too crazy. So let's see how it does on the taste
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Cheers. Okay, not crazy different from the nose. Honestly, it's still very sweet, but it's an
11:52
interesting sweetness. It's not like, you know, I said vanilla on the nose, but it was more of the
11:56
creamy aspect. This isn't like a vanilla or caramel. Honestly, it's kind of still like that
12:01
powdered sugar kind of note, but almost has a bit of a burnt sugar kind of element. Like you burn a
12:07
dessert a little bit around the edges, or even this is a weirdly specific note, but it's like
12:12
you have a creme brulee, but you only eat the top part. So that solidified sugar that's been charred
12:17
with like the blowtorch or whatever, if you're just eating that and not the custard below
12:21
that's kind of the flavor profile happening here. It's bright, it's sweet, not as fruity as it was
12:27
on the nose, but it's very, very deserty on the palate. Let me get a second sip here. Yeah, I mean
12:34
you have to dig deep to find anything beyond that sweetness. I didn't expect this to be so sweet
12:39
You know, Maker's Mark to me, it's a little sweet, but I usually get that from the finishes, right
12:44
Like the French oak with the 46 brings a different element of spice and sweetness that regular Maker's
12:48
Mark doesn't have. This one is really, really sweet. So I wondering if the corn in like Maker Mark really is bringing more depth to it because this while it tastes good really leaves a lot to be desired in terms of complexity here And I know with the wheat whiskey that a little bit harder to find But that being said
13:08
I mean, one of my favorite whiskeys this year so far was the Bernheim 10-year-old wheat whiskey
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Now that's a little bit older than this. Price was actually a little bit cheaper than this
13:17
But to me, that one has so much complexity and depth to it that I've never really experienced
13:21
on a wheat whiskey. So maybe I've kind of set my expectations so high because of that really
13:26
great release earlier this year, but this is kind of reminding me of what I normally expect from
13:31
wheat whiskeys. You know, a little bit of a simpler flavor profile, not spicy at all. Honestly, this
13:36
does not drink the 116.4 proof. I'd probably guess it's between 105 to 110 if I was guessing
13:42
But honestly, that's not a bad thing. It's just the lack of depth and character beyond just the
13:48
initial sweet, you know, bright, approachable flavor. There's really not much more beyond that
13:54
There's a hint of citrus on the back end towards the finish, but the finish is short to medium
13:58
It's not crazy long like some other Maker's Mark releases are. And I really wish I could get some of that oak note
14:05
And I'm wondering again because there's a chance this is younger whiskey
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So there's a chance that is impacting it as well. And now it's time to get into my bite size review, which I keep it short and sweet here
14:15
I just give it a score out of 10 that considers all things like availability, price, proof, palette, nose, everything all considered
14:22
So for this year's Star Hill Farm American Wheat Whiskey, I think it's a great idea
14:28
I love that Maker's Mark is expanding beyond the traditional mash bill
14:32
I love that they're trying something new. I like that they're putting a different label on it to not confuse people that are fans of Maker's Mark
14:38
I think that's actually a really good marketing move. But that being said, this to me does not drink like a $100 to a $120 whiskey
14:46
Honestly, if this were priced between $50 and $60, I would have a much more favorable opinion on it
14:51
so with all that into consideration i'm gonna give this one a six and a half out of ten because
14:58
i like it it's it's not a bad whiskey at all i would gladly drink a pour of it i don't think i
15:03
would buy a second bottle of it especially at 120 i think honestly you know if it was retail of 120
15:10
i would probably rank this closer to a six but because i did overpay a little bit that's more
15:14
on me so it's 100 i think it's you know that's still up there in price so i'll give it a 6.5
15:20
It's not something I'm going to be reaching for another bottle of, but it's definitely a fun one to showcase what, you know, a state grown whiskey can be
15:29
So seeing sustainable farming and other people doing sustainable barrel sourcing is incredible
15:35
So I want to encourage them to keep it up. That's why I'll give it a 6.5. But I've heard that last year's release was maybe a little bit better
15:41
So if I have a chance to try a 2025, I'll definitely give that comparison
15:46
But yeah, for me, this one, it was fine. I don't regret picking it up. I do regret paying what I did, but yeah, that's just my honest bite-sized review for you guys
15:55
Now, feel free to disagree with me. This might be your favorite whiskey of the year. If so, let me know in the comments on the YouTube video of this podcast
16:02
or you can join our Discord server. You can go to bourbonbytes.com and click the link to the Bourbon Bites Discord server there
16:09
Everyone's welcome. We share the latest news stories there automatically, as well as have cool discussions about what we've picked up lately
16:15
So if you have thoughts on this bottle beyond what I've said, please leave a comment
16:19
let me know what you think. But that does it for this week's episode. I feel like I went a little
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fast. So apologies if this is a little shorter than normal. I just had a lot to get through and
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I was really excited to try this whiskey. So a little bummed, but I'm glad I tried it. I might
16:33
not seek out another bottle for next year unless maybe they bring in an age statement or people
16:37
just are raving about it. So I'm curious to hear what you think. I actually see a few whiskey
16:41
tubers reviewed it. So I'm going to watch those right after this podcast. I think Jason from the
16:46
Mashing Drum just uploaded literally a couple hours ago. So I wanted to make sure not to watch that before it because I didn't want to shape my opinion
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So you guys go watch Jason's video as well. He's an amazing whiskey tuber on the internet
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So cheers. Until next time, this has been the Bourbon Bites podcast, a whiskey podcast with a gaming twist
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I'll talk to you guys next episode. Cheers and game on. Thank you
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