Irish Distillers said today that its Jameson whiskey continued its growth trajectory as it sold 8.6 million cases for the year ending in June, up from 7.5 million in the previous year.
In doing so, it cemented its position as one of the top five best-selling international whiskey brands in the world.
Jameson sold 4 million cases in the US during the 12 month period, representing volume growth of 19%, with sales of Jameson Black Barrel growing by 36% in the US.
It also recorded solid growth in other key markets including UK (up 10%), Germany (up 30%), Australia (up 15%) and Ireland (up 6%).
The Jameson brand continues to perform well in emerging markets with sales in Nigeria surging by 216%, sales in India jumping by 85%. Sales in Brazil were up 67%, while they rose by 45% in China and by 13% in Japan.
Jameson also saw sales increase in the Polish (+48%), Ukrainian (+43%) and Russian (+19%) markets.
Conor McQuaid, Chairman and CEO said that despite the difficult circumstances arising from the global pandemic Irish Distillers' portfolio, led by Jameson, has demonstrated incredible resilience.
"This was achieved despite the disruption to the hospitality sector in many markets throughout our financial year, coupled with increasing input costs.
"The team at Irish Distillers and across all of Pernod Ricard can be very proud of these results as they are a testament to their hard work, commitment, and dedication," he said.
He also said the global growth of the company's prestige portfolio comprising Redbreast, the Spot whiskeys, Midleton Very Rare and Method and Madness reflects the increase in consumer appetite for premium and super-premium Irish whiskeys.
"While Global Travel Retail sales were heavily impacted by travel restrictions during the year, we are confident that sales will return to pre-pandemic levels, although this may take some time," the CEO said.
"We also appreciate that it continues to be a challenging business environment for the hospitality sector and particularly the on-trade. We will continue to work with and support our partners across Ireland and other global markets as they look towards a full re-opening," he added.
Meanwhile, Irish Distillers' parent company Pernod Ricard posted a stronger than expected 18.3% organic rise in full-year 2020/21 operating profit, driven by a strong rebound in demand in China and the US with the removal of Covid-19 curbs and by tight cost control.
This was higher than the company's guidance for a profit rise of as much as 17%.
For the year ahead, the French owner of Mumm champagne, Absolut vodka and Martell cognac, said it expected its strong sales momentum to continue with a "very dynamic" first quarter.
With recurring cash flow at a historical high of €1.745 billion at the end of June, the group also said it would resume its buyback programme of €500m in fiscal year 2021/222 that started on July 1.
Over the twelve months to June 30, profit from recurring operations reached €2.423 billion, an organic rise of 18.3%.
Sales reached €8.824 billion, an organic rise of 9.7%, with sales in the fourth quarter alone jumping 56.5%, on a low basis of comparison.
In June, the world's second-biggest spirits group after Britain's Diageo had raised its organic profit growth guidance for 2020/21 to 16% from 10%.
Pernod said last month a US court ruling that it could make a refund claim on spirits exported from the US would add a further 1% to its organic profit growth.
