Overview: Wilder Heart Whiskey announces the launch of its first two expressions on October 27, 2026, marking a new entry in the American whiskey category. Co-founded by Nate Woodruff and Doug Ward, the brand emphasizes a philosophy rooted in adventure and sharing, offering a standard expression and a cask strength option aged for a minimum of four years.
The Full Story
Wilder Heart Whiskey is crafted from three distinct mash bills with nothing added, reflecting a simple belief that the best whiskey is made to be opened and shared. The brand builds on the community developed by the Wilder Heart podcast over the past few years, charting tales of wild adventures and new discoveries shared over a drink. The philosophy posits that the wild is not merely a place but a mindset, celebrating it, protecting it, and living it. This approach extends to conservation efforts, including fire safety know-how and working alongside local groups to look after trails, rivers, and forests.
The brand was co-founded by whiskey enthusiast Nate Woodruff of Whisky with a View and VCL North America, part of UK-based spirits business VCL Vintners. VCL North America provides expertise in cask management, maturation, and independent bottling. The bottle design reflects the connection to the outdoors, featuring mountain, river, and tree detailing inspired by landscapes at the heart of the brand. Wilder Heart launches direct to consumers in the United States with pre-orders available online and shipping offered to more than 40 states.
Production & Profile
Wilder Heart Whiskey is a blend of three mash bills aged for a minimum of four years. Bottled at 47% ABV / 94 proof, the standard expression opens with aromas of fresh peach and apricot on the nose, alongside brown sugar, cinnamon and zesty orange peel. Red apple, citrus and soft vanilla follow on the palate, with a hint of roasted marshmallow. The finish is bright and gentle, with crisp apple, lemon peel and a lingering warmth.
Wilder Heart Cask Strength is bottled at 58.75% ABV / 117.5 proof (batch 1). Rich and velvety, it opens with honey, cherry, and blackberry, followed by tart cherry, baked apple, brown sugar, and butterscotch on the palate. The finish is long and evolving, with dark fruit, clove, sweet oak, and lingering vanilla. Softer on the palate than its proof might suggest, it reveals more spice and toasted oak as it rests in the glass. Both whiskeys are made from corn, rye, wheat and malted barley, limestone-filtered water and yeast.
Brand & Industry History
The brand is built around a simple belief that the wild isn’t a place, it’s a mindset. Wilder Heart Whiskey was co-founded by Woodruff and VCL North America, which brings expertise in cask management, maturation and independent bottling. Doug Ward, VP of Sales and Strategy, leads the brand’s commercial strategy and day-to-day operations. The brand is built from three mash bills and aged a minimum of four years, with nothing added—just corn, rye, wheat and malted barley, limestone-filtered water and yeast.
What This Means
Whiskey drinkers now have more choice than ever, are more knowledgeable and ready to try something new, so a new brand needs to give them a genuine reason to pick up a bottle and open it. For us, that starts with the quality of the whiskey, and the experience and story behind it. Wilder Heart is strong on both fronts; there’s a lot to discover about the brand and the whiskey. The brand sets out to create something with real character that brings fresh energy to American whiskey.
Consumer Takeaway
Wilder Heart Whiskey is available direct to consumers in 40+ states and at retail in Colorado, Missouri and Wyoming. Wilder Heart Whiskey SRP $44.99 at 47% ABV / 94 proof; Wilder Heart Cask Strength SRP $69.99 at 58.75% ABV / 117.5 proof (batch 1). Beyond the whiskey, Wilder Heart brings people together through Basecamp, its free-to-join community. Members earn Trail Points through participation, including the brand’s signature Sunset Pour ritual, and redeem them for gear, experiences, and rewards.
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