RTE: 4.2 million cases of Jameson Whiskey sold in six months

Irish Distillers said it sold 4.2 million cases of James Irish Whiskey in the six months to the end of December, an increase of 6% on the same time the previous year.

The company said the value of those sales rose by 8%. 

Irish Distillers said it saw particularly strong growth in sub-saharan Africa - where sales rose 40% - while its Indian sales rose by 50%.

Conor McQuaid, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers said that Jameson, which has been driving the growth of the whiskey category for the past 29 years, continues to thrive and is now in double or triple-digit growth in more than 70 markets across the world.

Meanwhile, Irish Distillers said the resurgence of the Single Pot Still category continues to be led by its Redbreast brand.

Redbreast saw value growth of 20% in the six month period, while Irish Distiller's Spot range grew by 43%.

Mr McQuaid said that Irish Distillers has released over ten new single pot still Irish whiskeys since May 2011 and the feedback from whiskey drinkers has been "phenomenal". 

Irish Distillers also said that 2018 was another successful year for its brand homes in Bow Street in Dublin and Midleton in Cork, with visitor numbers growing strongly in both.

Jameson Distillery Bow Street was named the World’s Leading Distillery Tour at the World Travel Awards in Lisbon last year.