UK-based craft distiller Fielden English Whisky has been acquired by Glass Half Full (GHF), with the brand development agency readying a relaunch of the namesake brand.
The transaction, for an undisclosed sum, was announced today (14 January) at what GHF described as “a pivotal moment for English whisky”. Fielden, which was previously known as The Oxford Artisan Distillery prior to its relocation to the north of England in 2024, will sit alongside the likes of the Sapling, Everleaf and Nc’nean brands, all of which GHF handles in the UK on an agency basis.
“The (English whisky) category has expanded rapidly over the past decade, with annual production now estimated by the English Whisky Guild to exceed 500,000 bottles,” GHF said. “English whisky is gaining international recognition for quality, innovation and sustainability and is emerging as one of the most exciting new frontiers in global whisky.”
Fielden’s CEO, Dave Smith, added: “I have always admired the GHF portfolio and the quality of the team behind it. 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.”
The FIelden portfolio, which was joined for a limited time in late 2024 by the Hedgerow rye whisky expression, will be relaunched in the UK later this year in both the on- and off-premise channels in the market. Details of what the relaunch will consist of were not disclosed.
