Lothian Distillers toasts profit

A GRAIN distillery in Edinburgh that produces whisky for Famous Grouse, J&B and Johnnie Walker has posted a 16 per cent rise in profits thanks to strong demand in emerging markets.

Accounts for Lothian Distillers, which operates the North British Distillery, showed operating profits rose to £9.1 million in 2011 from £7.9m in 2010. Sales jumped by 31 per cent to £71.6m.

The directors recommended that a final dividend of £3.3m should be paid for 2011, up from £2.6m during the previous year,

The company, which is a 50-50 joint venture between Johnnie Walker maker Diageo and Famous Grouse-owner Edrington, is one of six sites in Edinburgh that were suspected of being the source of this year’s Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, which affected 101 people and claimed three lives.