UK: Diageo makes minority investment in The Oxford Artisan Distillery

Founded in 2016, The Oxford Artisan Distillery “produces whisky using biodiverse populations of ‘heritage’ grains grown through an approach to grain farming known as restorative continuous grain cropping (R-CGC)”.

The investment was made through Distill Ventures, an independently operated accelerator backed by Diageo.

With the capital, The Oxford Artisan Distillery will be able to upgrade and expand its production sites, as well as develop its brand and consumer experience.

The company’s CEO, Dave Smith, said: “Over the last few years, we have seen the industry take major steps towards addressing the climate crisis, but we have a responsibility to do more in tackling sustainable farming and grain production. With Diageo and Distill Ventures’ support, we believe we can use whisky to further a revolution in the field.”

Frank Lampen, founder and CEO of Distill Ventures, added: “Grain is becoming an important part of how whisky producers are continuing to innovate and develop new styles and flavours, and the heritage grains used by Oxford Artisan Distillery together with their groundbreaking approach to farming in a sustainable way make this one of the most exciting distilleries in the English whisky scene, and we’re delighted to be able to support them in their development”.

Terms of the investment were not disclosed.