Cheval Rouge

We’re proud to have advised Starward Distillery's return home as founder David Vitale regains ownership.

Cheval Rouge has played a key role in the acquisition of Starward Distillery from global spirits company Diageo, supporting the return of the Australian whisky brand to founder David Vitale, through a founder-led transaction supported by specialist international financing.

The transaction sees Vitale regain ownership of the Melbourne-based distillery he founded in 2007, marking a new chapter for one of Australia’s most recognisable modern whisky brands.

Congratulations to David Vitale and the STARWARD team. We’re excited to continue working together to unlock the brand’s next phase of growth.

Read more: https://www.chevalrouge.com.au/new-blog/2026/2/6/cheval-rouge-advises-starward-distillerys-return-home-as-founder-david-vitale-regains-ownership

Cheval Rouge advises Starward Distillery's return home as founder David Vitale regains ownership — Cheval Rouge Drinks industry commercial consultancy Cheval Rouge has played a key role in the acquisition of Starward Distillery from global spirits company Diageo, supporting the return of the Australian whisky brand to founder David Vitale, through a founder-led transaction supported by specialist internationa

Exciting times for Lūla Rum

Craft spirits startup Lula launches its into China market Brisbane-based craft spirits startup Lula Rum is launching into the China market in a major step towards global expansion by founder Jesse Stowers. Lula has sec

I spent three days at Whisky Live in Thailand showcasing some of our clients in Bangkok including Waubs Harbour Whisky, Hellyers Road Distillery, Spring Bay Distillery and more.

This vibrant and exciting market is home to some of the worlds best bars and restaurants and has so much potential especially with a government that is encouraging growth in the hospitality industry with tax reform and modernisation of liquor laws to support premium international brands to invest in Thailand.

What a superb week in Cannes at the TFWA show for Travel Retail. We met with dozens of suppliers and were buoyed by how busy and engaged the attendees were this year.

Some exciting projects now in the works for Cheval Rouge and our partners!

Back in Tasmania visiting New Norfolk Distillery ahead of the TWSA conference tomorrow. Currently the only dedicated rum distillery on the Apple Isle making cane spirit, aged and spiced rum, plus a few other spirits and liqueurs.

Congratulations to the team at Never Never Distilling Co. on the news they are joining Asahi. Gin is an extremely challenging category at present and it is testament to the strength of the team behind Never Never, the quality of the product, and the work behind the branding, distribution and sales that they have been acquired by a sophisticated buyer like Asahi.

Exciting news ahead and I'll be having an Oyster Shell Gin Martini tonight to celebrate their success!

Ok. Here we go. Big deep breaths.

We’re incredibly proud, emotional and excited to announce we’re now part of the Asahi Beverages family.

This is a huge day for us. It’s a day which allows us the opportunities to finally take Never Never and build it into the brand we have always dreamed of. We didn’t start Never Never to be small. That’s somewhat ironic given we started in a 16sqm space in a shed with no running water. It was always our ambition to build a spirit brand that competed with some of the biggest in the world, we just thought it might take a while. Every big brand starts with one or two people with aspirations of greatness, with a passion and commitment to quality flavour. We want our brand to have a similar trajectory, to grow into something beyond our comprehension and to continue to tell our story for generations to come.

While this is a game changer for our brand, outside of the support it provides, this won’t change the core of the business. Rest assured, the founder team will be working hard to continue to achieve the success that has got us to this point. Tim will keep making –what we think– is the world’s best liquid (no pressure Tim). Our production methods won’t change. Sean will keep working closely with the best bars around the country and coming up with even bigger April Fool’s Day gags (maybe we actually go to Mars after all?). George will keep running the business, drinking martinis and running marathons (what, he hasn’t told you yet? He will. Great time by the way). The rest of our team will be staying on and will be able to grow securely within the business. We also plan on making new hires that will assist in growing our small South Australian gin brand into a much bigger one.

From the days of selling gin to local bars from the boot of Tim’s old beat-up Magna, to exporting our products around the world, working with Asahi Beverages will continue to grow our distribution networks across the country and reach new brand fans in every corner. We’re finally going to make good on a request from many of you, to build a 700ml bottle which we will couple with an exciting new label. We’ve been working on a pack glow-up for the past couple of years and can’t wait to finally share it. We’re emotional, we haven’t slept properly in months but most of all, we’re so incredibly thankful. Thankful to our supporters who have been with us from the very beginning, who have proudly purchased bottles and talked about us to their friends or anyone who would listen. We would not be here if it wasn’t for you.

We’ve always aimed for the horizon (that’s why it’s on our bottle) and we’ve worked non-stop to get here. Now, we’re staring at the next horizon and the one beyond that. The work has only just begun, and we can’t wait to grow Never Never into something incredibly special and share it with you all.

It’s finally time for a drink, so if you’re visiting us this Friday at our distillery door, pop in for a G&T, our shout.

Much love. Sean, Tim and George.

Very excited to bring Waiheke Whisky to Australia thanks to our friends at Malt Traders - it has been a long time coming but finally these wonderful New Zealand Single Malts have crossed the Tasman.

Waiheke Whisky Waiheke Whisky

Cheval Rouge has partnered with .rum since 2023 and to kick off the new year we are heading to Perth, WA to launch with our new distribution partner - working with such a passionate founder in .flowers means we are in for a busy week!

The latest collaboration release of Waubs Harbour Whisky will be special - what better Valentines gift than a stout cask aged Maritime Tasmanian Single Malt whisky!

I joined Tim from Waubs Harbour Whisky for the superb Whisky Abbey show, hosted by the team at Casa de Vinos. It was the first time at the show for Waubs Harbour Whisky, and with hundreds of drams poured to many new fans of the brand we will be sure to be back next year to showcase some more of award winning Maritime Tasmanian Single Malt.