John Oakley Maund
Alpinist, Adventurer and Source of Inspiration for MAUND Whisky & Rum

Who was John Oakley Maund?

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John Oakley Maund (1826–1902) was an English banker, member of the London Stock Exchange and a liberal Member of Parliament—yet equally a committed alpinist of the 19th century. Through his marriage to Mary Emily Baring, he became connected to one of the most influential banking families of his time.

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Maund belonged to the second generation of alpinism, the so-called Silver Age. At a time when many of the great summits had already been climbed, he turned his attention to new routes and more demanding undertakings in the Mont Blanc Massif. His approach was defined by curiosity, endurance, and quiet determination.

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J.O. Maund, the Alps and an extraordinary legacy

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His passion for hunting and nature led to the creation of several hunting lodges—among them residences at Lake Lucerne and Mont Blanc Massif and in the Austrian Alps. The most significant of these estates, developed in collaboration with William Morris, gave rise to what became known as the “Maund Estate” in the Arlberg region in Bregenzerwald — the largest private hunting ground of the Austrian monarchy in the Alpine region. From the early 20th century, the legendary Villa Maund also served Wilhelm II as a hunting residence.

 

A place of legends and encounters

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Over time, Villa Maund became a place where stories accumulated rather than being told. From 1995 onwards, Paul Renner made the estate his home, turning it into a meeting point for a certain avant-garde. Among the guests of the elusive Hell Fire Touring Club were Zaha Hadid, Ferran Adrià and Günter Brus, as well as „incognito“ circles of the „Club".

 

As friends of the owning family and of Paul Renner, we, too, found ourselves among the invited over the years. Whether this implied more than mere presence was never explicitly stated—an invitation was, after all, the only reliable sign for all members.

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The inspiration behind THE WILD ALPS – ALCHEMY & ADVENTURE

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This convergence of alpine heritage, art and culinary eccentricity became the foundation of THE WILD ALPS – ALCHEMY & ADVENTURE.

From it emerged the idea of maturing exceptional spirits on the Maund Estate in the Alps—conceived in the tradition of a private members’ club.

 

From myth to spirit

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THE WILD ALPS DISTILLERS translate this legacy into the present with Maund Single Cask Rum and Maund Single Malt Whisky.

Inspired by John Oakley Maund and his estate, these spirits embody a dialogue between origin, craftsmanship and environment—shaped by the Alps and guided by an idea that deliberately leaves room for interpretation.