WhistlePig CEO Charles Gibb departs after eight months
Charles Gibb has left American whiskey maker WhistlePig after just eight months in the CEO role, with its chief financial officer (CFO) taking over the position.
Gibb, the former US boss for mixer producer Fever-Tree, joined WhistlePig as CEO in June 2025.
In a statement, LVMH-backed WhistlePig confirmed Gibb’s immediate departure following a mutual agreement.
“After thoughtful discussions, Charles and WhistlePig Whiskey’s board of directors have mutually agreed to part ways,” the statement said. “We sincerely thank Charles for his contributions and service to WhistlePig during his tenure and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
Gibb has not commented publicly.
The CEO position has been taken over by WhistlePig CFO Alex Roberts, with a hunt now underway to find his replacement.
Roberts was an investment banker at Rothschild & Co, Tap Advisors and PME Capital before joining WhistlePig as CFO in December 2017.
“Alex brings extensive, deep knowledge of WhistlePig’s operations, having been integral to our strategy for eight years,” the statement from WhistlePig continued.
“We are focused on carrying momentum forward as the leader in luxury rye whiskey and will continue to prioritise business continuity and sustained performance.”
Roberts wrote on LinkedIn: “Eight years ago, I made the decision to leave investment banking and join WhistlePig, a small and relatively unknown whiskey brand at the time. It felt like a crazy decision at the time, but it has proven to be an incredibly rewarding journey.
“During these years, I have had the privilege of working with an incredible team that has successfully grown WhistlePig over five times and established it as the leading luxury American whiskey brand.
“I am excited to lead the company into its next chapter as the new CEO of WhistlePig.”
WhistlePig sold a minority stake to Moët Hennessy, LVMH’s wine and spirits arm, at the end of 2020.
During Gibb’s tenure, WhistlePig released a 30-year-old as its oldest whiskey to date in September, and opened a new visitor experience in Louisville’s Bourbon District at the end of 2025.
Gibb’s experience in the spirits industry includes roles at Diageo, Bacardi and LVMH. Prior to his almost eight-year stint at Fever-Tree, Gibb was president and CEO at LVMH-owned Belvedere Vodka, where he spearheaded the brand’s global expansion efforts. Notably, he established Belvedere’s Project Red and James Bond partnerships.
Gibb took over the CEO role at WhistlePig from Jeff Kozak, who held the position for a decade. Kozak recently joined Cazcanes Tequila as president.
Related news
USA Shochu Cocktail Competition names winner
