Wild at heart
Born to be Wild: Mitch Bechard and Brian Kinsman, the brains behind Wildmoor
Drawing on over 60 years worth of premium stock laid down by the Grant family, Wildmoor takes its inspiration from the rugged landscape of Scotland. Tom Pattinson speaks to the daring duo behind the launch of a stunning new prestige whisky…
William Grant & Sons’ Master Blender Brian Kinsman enjoys his job, as well he might. He oversees the established brands in the company’s enviable portfolio and he has his pick of thousands of casks from the Grant family’s private vaults and cellars. He’s a lucky man.
Last year Kinsman delved into this treasure trove and released a highly exclusive, limited-edition range of single malts from the ‘Ghost Distillery’ Ladyburn. Now, he has returned to this bountiful reserve to produce a series of exquisite blended Scotch whiskies called Wildmoor, inspired by Scotland’s epic landscapes, and neatly described as “a flavour map of Scotland in a glass.”
Wildmoor embodies the raw majesty of Scotland’s elemental outdoors
Sitting in the penthouse suite of a Mayfair hotel, the quietly impressive Kinsman explains his vision for Wildmoor was “to create a whisky that embodied the raw majesty of Scotland’s wildest places – not the gentle picturesque glens, but the awe-inspiring landscapes.” And on this it most certainly delivers. Wildmoor is a stunning tribute to the wider aspects of the country – ancient moorlands, rugged coastlines, dense forests, unspoiled mountain ranges and imposing lochs.
“I delved deeper into my personal memories of these wild places, and what was initially a single whisky has become a series of extremely old and prestigious blended malts and blended whiskies,” says Kinsman. “Each one a multi-sensory tribe to Scotland’s vast terrain.”
With unlimited access to the family’s private vaults of prized liquids, Kinsman was able to explore flavour uninhibited by local restrictions. He regularly checks in on the collection of 250,000 casks to ensure they are chosen for bottling at exactly the right moment. For this prodigious reservoir of stock he has the foresight of the William Grant & Sons family to thank, who began to carefully acquire and curate a vast reserve of rare, high-aged malt and grain whiskies from some of Scotland’s most remote, famous and beautifully located distilleries some 60 years ago. Sourced from every corner of Scotland, these whiskies were painstakingly picked out for their unique character. Today, this collection is considered to be the widest and most extensive in the industry, containing extremely rare and prestige liquids from far-flung distilleries all over Scotland, some of which are lost forever.
The Wildmoor range is all highly aged and combine malt and grain whiskies, some of which are finished to intensify the flavour further. A signature of the core range is the sherry cask maturation, which adds beguiling complexity to the liquid’s dark colour and unique profile.
Supporting Kinsman in spreading the glimmering word of the Wildmoor Collection is charismatic Brand Ambassador Mitch Bechard who has spent his life travelling to remote corners of the earth preaching the gospel of whisky – most recently for Glenfiddich, where he spent many years as brand ambassador. Below, Bechard talks to Barley about his life in whisky — and reveals why the Wildmoor 40 year old might be the best he’s ever had.
Your exclusive guide to the new Wildmoor range
Wildmoor Dark Moorland 23 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (42%)
A blend of Highland and Speyside malts combined with Lowland grain whisky which has been matured in a combination of American and European oak giving this whisky a rich flavour that evokes the wind-swept Moorlands of Scotland. Rounded and balanced, this flavour is further enhanced by finishing in Oloroso Sherry Cask finish, bringing depth of character to this whisky.
What you’ll pay: £184.95
Wildmoor Rugged Coast 30 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (42%)
Inspired by Scotland’s rugged western coastline, sea air, crashing waves and notes of peat. Smoke meets rich stone fruit for a lingering finish. Big and bold, with hints of smoke and a Oloroso Sherry Cask finish.
What you’ll pay: £549.95
Wildmoor Black Mountain 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (46%)
The peak of the range, drawing inspiration from the towering dark mountains of Northern Scotland. An extraordinary intense blend of rare grain and Highland malts enhanced by the addition of Ghosted Distillery stock. This is a deep, rich, and elegant liquid finished in a Pedro Ximenez cask.
What you’ll pay: £959.95
Wildmoor Heather Valley 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky
A blend of Highland and Speyside malts combined with Lowland grain whisky which has been matured in a combination of American and European oak giving this whisky a rich flavour that evokes the wind-swept Moorlands of Scotland. This flavour is further enhanced by finishing in Oloroso Sherry Cask finish, bringing depth of character to this whisky.
What you’ll pay: £120 (exclusive to Taiwan)
Wildmoor Ancient Moorland 23 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Taking inspiration from the flowering heather that blankets the rural terrain, this expression is a blend of Highland and Speyside malts, held in American and European oak cask and finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks. At first glance, the dark colour of the liquid is striking and is accompanied by a rich oak taste complimented by the signature deep vanilla, mellow sherry spice and sweetness.
What you’ll pay: £185 (Exclusive to Mainland China and Taiwan)
Wildmoor Waking Forest 23 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky
A marriage of oak inspired by the forests of Scotland. Virgin Oak meets Sherry oak to enhance the smooth vanilla flavours with a rich sweetness seeping through.
What you’ll pay: £145 (exclusive to Global Travel Retail)
Wildmoor Tropical Coast 30 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky
MakeInspired by the north western coastline of Scotland in summer. Where white sandy beaches meet clear turquoise water for a tropical landscape. Finished in Caribbean Rum cask, this whisky is smooth, fruity and sweet with rum spice.
What you’ll pay: £325 (exclusive to Global Travel Retail)
