Fielden, the English whisky brand formerly known as The Oxford Artisan Distillery, has been acquired by drinks brand development agency GHF.
The deal marks the first time GHF – which works with independent UK spirits brands including Everleaf, Sapling and Nc’nean – has taken ownership of a brand.
GHF said it would look to relaunch Fielden in the on-trade and selected off-trade channels in early 2026.
“We have long admired the Fielden brand and have followed its development closely, believing it to be something truly special,” said GHF founder and CEO Tristram Coates. “A genuine challenger, doing whisky differently. Fielden has strong credibility with bartenders, retailers and whisky enthusiasts through its distinctive flavour and modern English identity, and it has the potential to define its category and achieve iconic status.”
Coates continued: “Fielden is a perfect addition to the GHF portfolio, and we are incredibly excited to be building this brand alongside fellow like-minded and mission-led British spirit producers such as Sapling, Everleaf and Nc’nean.
“Under GHF’s stewardship, the brand will benefit from deep trade relationships, best-in-class brand building capability, and a long-term commitment to growing English whisky with integrity, ambition and cultural relevance.”
It comes a little shy of two years after The Oxford Artisan Distillery rebranded as Fielden and relocated to Yorkshire.
The brand was founded in 2016, and in 2022 received investment from Diageo’s Distill Ventures accelerator.
It is not clear if the decision by Diageo to pull funding for Distill Ventures last year was a factor in the decision by Fielden to seek out new ownership.
“I have always admired the GHF portfolio and the quality of the team behind it,” said Fielden CEO Dave Smith. “They have built a collection of brands that are values-led, creatively ambitious and commercially disciplined. I am genuinely delighted to be handing Fielden over to such passionate and thoughtful caretakers.
“This is an incredibly exciting period for English whisky, and I could not think of a better home for the brand as it enters its next chapter.”
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