Glenmorangie profits up 12.8 per cent

Whisky maker Glenmorangie has unveiled a 12.8 per cent hike in profits to £8.3m, on sales up 12.4 per cent to £58.7m for the full-year to March.

The Scottish distiller, which also makes Ardbeg and Glen Moray as well as its flagship malt Glenmorangie, recently stepped up its production at the Tain distillery from three to four million litres a year.

The move came in response to increased global demand for the company's brands. The Glenmorangie brand is being pushed into the emerging malt markets in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America.

Chief executive Paul Neep said he was confident of maintaining the company's strong growth. "We continue to make good progress in all areas of our business," he said. "Sales and profits rose strongly and our three malt brands are showing good growth in their key markets."

European sales were strong most noticeably in France, were Glenmorangie out-performed a buoyant Scotch malt category by a factor of four. Sweden saw double-digit growth.

In the year to March Glenmorangie disposed of it remaining interests in China. The company said it enjoyed the benefits of strategic partnerships with Brown-Foreman and the Drambuie Liqueur Company.

Earnings per share rose 20 per cent to 43p.