Far East sales lift Glenmorangie’s spirits

A MARKETING push in the Far East has helped whisky distiller Glenmorangie deliver higher sales and profits.

The firm, owned by French luxury goods group LVMH, said it was very encouraged by demand for its eponymous single malt. Picture: PA

The firm, owned by French luxury goods group LVMH, said it was “very encouraged” by demand for its eponymous single malt and stablemate Ardbeg. Operating profits for 2013 came in at £16.4 million, from £14.3m a year ago, on turnover 6 per cent higher at £70.1m.

In a bid to drive growth across international markets, the group aired a new advertising campaign in China and Taiwan and said it “remains confident in its objective to build strong premium single malt whisky brands”.

Meanwhile, latest accounts show Japanese-owned rival Morrison Bowmore enjoyed a 
7.5 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £9.1m for the year to December.

Turnover at the firm, part of Osaka-based Suntory, jumped 12 per cent to £55.6m amid a “significant increase” in sales of single malts, including Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch.