Starward Whisky has returned to founder-led stewardship, following David Vitale fully acquiring the business from Diageo’s Distill Ventures.
Vitale launched Starward in 2007, with Distill Ventures taking a stake in the distillery in 2015 and allowing the eight-year-old business to expand its production and export market.
Last year, Diageo announced it was pulling out of its Distill Ventures accelerator program.
“Following more than 10 successful years partnering with Distill Ventures to nurture and scale emerging spirits brands, we have undertaken a strategic review of our approach to early-stage, venture investments,” a spokesperson said.
“Moving forward, Diageo will not be bringing in any new brands into the Distill Ventures programme, whilst a smaller Distill Ventures team will remain in place to manage a reduced number of existing investments.”
At the time, the Distill Ventures portfolio was made up of whisky brands including Starward, Westward Whiskey, Stauning Whisky, Kanosuke and Fielden Whisky.
In September 2025, Vitale told Spirits Business the distillery’s relationship with Diageo was “business as usual for the time being”.
“We’ve been really fortunate to have a long-standing relationship with Diageo, and their support has been instrumental in us getting to where we are,” he said.
“I’m really grateful for that. What the future holds, we’ll have to wait and see. But at this point in time, they’ve been great supporters of the brand.”
Today, Starward said: “With this acquisition, our chapter with Diageo’s Distill Ventures, who have supported us since 2015, comes to a close. We’re grateful for their partnership and belief in our vision.”
Vitale said: “This feels like a rare opportunity to scale what we know works, in a category that’s only just getting started. I feel incredibly lucky to be doing that with the best brand, the best people, and the best years still ahead of us.”