Royal Salute: Stellar growth for top Pernod Ricard brand

LUXURY whisky label Royal Salute has become the fastest-growing “strategic brand” within Pernod Ricard’s range, helping the French spirits giant to post a rise in full-year profits.

Royal Salute – which sponsored Prince William’s polo team during a match on his recent trip to North America – grew its sales by 27 per cent, outstripping stablemates the Glenlivet at 14 per cent, Chivas Regal at 9 per cent and Ballantine’s at 8 per cent.

Pernod Ricard, the second-biggest Scotch whisky distiller behind Diageo, posted a 9 per cent rise in profits to €1.1 billion (£969 million) for the year to 30 June on the back of an 8 per cent increase in sales to €7.6bn.

The group reported a 15 per cent jump in sales from Asian markets but a 2 per cent dip in Europe, triggered by consumer spending problems in debt-ridden Greece and Spain.

Christian Porta, chairman and chief executive of Paisley-based Chivas Brothers, said: “These impressive growth figures represent historical highs for many of our brands and demonstrate the depth of our portfolio. Royal Salute’s position as the fastest-growing strategic brand within the Pernod Ricard portfolio underlines the increasing global demand for prestige Scotch whisky.”

Royal Salute’s “tribute to honour” special editions sells for $200,000 (£124,000).

PETER RANSCOMBE