Irish Distillers sold a record 5.8m cases of its Jameson in the first half of its financial year, with sales in the US exceeding 2m for the third H1 in a row, as restrictions eased and social activity increased in the final six months of 2021.

Sales of the Irish whiskey rose 22% year-on-year to 5.8m cases, with the brand recording volume growth across Ireland (+13%), the US (+8%), the UK (+16%) and South Africa (+41%).

Jameson's premium Black Barrell brand recorded a global sales increase of 35% year-on-year, and Irish Distillers' single pot still portfolio also experienced growth, with sales of Redbreast (+19%) and the Spot (+7%) both hitting record highs.

Conor McQuaid, chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers, said: "In the first half of the financial year, we saw the world begin to cautiously return to pre-pandemic activities with the return of international travel, social engagements and in-person events in some markets.

"This improving situation supported the growth of our full portfolio of Irish whiskeys led by Jameson, which sold 5.8m cases in the first six months of our financial year.

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"Jameson is in growth in all key regions around the world, demonstrating the ever-increasing affinity for the brand on a global level. New generations of consumers and changing lifestyles are boosting this growth and we will continue to ignite, or in many cases re-ignite, a passion for Irish whiskey in markets around the world."

He added: "While Redbreast and the Spot family continued to drive growth in our prestige portfolio, we are confident that the quality and variety of the broader portfolio will support all our premium and super-premium whiskeys in growing from strength to strength.

"We fully recognise the difficulties our on-trade partners have faced recently. However, as the public health situation improves, we look forward to supporting them as they hopefully return to a more normalised and sustained operating environment."

Irish Distillers employs 650 people across its operations in Cork and Dublin, while parent company Pernod Ricard made sales of €8.8bn during its 2021 financial year.

Photo: Irish Distillers chairman and CEO Conor McQuaid.