LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 10, 2025) — The University of Kentucky’s Estate Whiskey Alliance® (EWA) has announced its first wave of more than a dozen Estate Whiskey Certified™ products.
Estate whiskey refers to a type of whiskey that is produced entirely on the distillery estate using grains sourced from the estate or local to that site.
“The Estate Whiskey Alliance’s certification program is central to our mission by providing transparency to consumers on ingredient sourcing and whiskey production methods,” said Landon Borders, EWA director. “By authenticating those whiskey products that meet our highest standards with a globally recognized Estate Whiskey Certified mark, we’re assuring consumers of the exceptional craftsmanship behind each pour.”
Estate Whiskey Certified products must have each of the following characteristics:
- All production processes including milling, cooking, fermentation, distillation, barreling, aging and bottling occur on the estate distillery.
- At least 2/3 of all mash bill grains are grown on estate-owned or controlled land.
Only EWA members that opt into the certification program and meet grain sourcing and whiskey production requirements can display the prestigious Estate Whiskey Certified logo on their qualifying bottles.
In April, the Maker’s Mark Distillery launched Star Hill Farm Whisky, the first-ever Estate Whiskey Certified product, as well as the brand’s first-ever new mash bills celebrating the role regenerative agriculture plays in creating better flavor, healthier soil and a more sustainable future.
“With our recent launch of Star Hill Farm Whisky, we unlocked how nature elevates flavor, and we believe we’re uniquely positioned to share our regenerative farming journey with this alliance for the continued progress — at scale — of our industry,” said Rob Samuels, managing director of Maker’s Mark and an eighth-generation whiskey maker.
Now more EWA members are rolling out Estate Whiskey Certified products. This first wave includes new spirits from Black Fox Farm and Distillery in Saskatchewan, Canada, Hillrock Estate Distillery in New York, and Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. in Illinois, with more on the way.
“At Black Fox Farm and Distillery, we’ve always believed that exceptional whisky begins in the field, not the still. Growing 95% of our own grains on Saskatchewan prairie isn’t just our production method — it’s our philosophy. The Estate Whiskey Alliance certification validates what we’ve known all along: that true terroir-driven spirits require this level of integration and transparency. We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s restoring authenticity and agricultural heritage to whisky production and honored to represent Canadian craftsmanship in this first wave of certified estate whiskies,” said Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote, co-founder and CEO of Black Fox Farm and Distillery.
The enthusiasm for the Estate Whiskey Alliance’s certification is echoed by other distilleries across North America. These producers see the certification not only as a mark of quality, but as a way to highlight the unique characteristics of their local terroir and sustainable practices.
“Hillrock Estate Distillery salutes the Estate Whiskey Alliance for establishing the industry’s first estate certification program and is proud to release its first EWA certified bourbon, rye and single malt whiskeys. These hand-crafted whiskeys are made from 100% estate grown grain and express the unique local terroir of our farm in the Hudson Valley. We believe that consumers highly value transparency and are seeking genuine, high-quality local products which are made sustainably. Hand-crafting award-winning whiskeys from estate-grown grain since 2011, we are confident that the EWA certification program will play a critical role in providing confidence to consumers and advancing the estate whiskey category,” said Jeffrey Baker, CEO of Hillrock Estate Distillery.
As the certification program continues to grow, more distilleries are joining and bringing their own family traditions and agricultural expertise to the table. The EWA is helping to unify these efforts under a common banner of authenticity and traceability.
“As fifth-generation Illinois family farmers and distillers, we here at Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. are excited to be among the first recipients of the Estate Whiskey Certification. We hope this mark helps us effectively communicate to our consumers what we do — and why we do it,” said Jamie Walter, co-founder and CEO of Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. “Raising 100% of our own distillery grains is not easy, but we think it is critically important from a quality, flavor and sustainability standpoint. From the beginning we’ve always said that great whiskey isn’t made — it’s grown.”
Together, these certified distilleries are setting a new benchmark for the industry, emphasizing the importance of local agriculture, transparency and a commitment to quality. Their collaboration under the EWA signals a broader shift in consumer expectations and industry standards.
“The Estate Whiskey Alliance and its new certification signals to the industry and consumers that provenance, traceability and a commitment to locally sourced ingredients matter. Maker’s Mark has been operating with these principles since the beginning, and as a founder member, we’re proud to champion this with others, and together, drive towards a more regenerative future for American whiskey,” said Samuels.
Each certified product is listed on the EWA’s website and provides detailed information about the certified whiskey products such as the percentage of estate grains used in each mash bill, the mash bill itself and the distillery location.
The alliance is a global consortium open to whiskey producers, farmers, suppliers, academic institutions and other related organizations.
“This is a global program, and our goal is to grow our membership both in and outside of the U.S., so we can learn from other jurisdictions about their estate whiskey production practices to strengthen the EWA,” said Alexa Narel, EWA operations manager.
Learn more about becoming an EWA member or getting certified online.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
