The firm behind the world’s top-selling malt whisky hailed the “phenomenal” success of one of its other products, Hendrick’s gin, as it unveiled a sharp increase in profits.
Dufftown-based William Grant and Sons said group operating profits for 2013 totalled £138million, a 10.6% rise from £124.8million the year before.
The family-owned firm gave no pre-tax profit figures.
Turnover grew by 5.2% to £1.12billion, which William Grant said was achieved despite challenging global economic conditions.
It added: “Of particular note has been the phenomenal success of Hendrick’s gin which has been built on word of mouth, bar tender endorsement and careful nurturing of the brand.”
Highlighting the brand’s “attention to detail”, the company said the distillery had invested cash in a greenhouse devoted to research into the growth of an exotic variety of cucumbers for accompanying some Hendrick’s and tonic.
Among the firm’s whisky brands, Glenfiddich “continued to maintain its position as the world’s number one and most awarded single malt”.
William Grant also hailed the success of The Balvenie, which it said benefited from continued growth around the world.
The company said last year’s launch of new single malt brand The Kinninvie, 23 years after the Dufftown distillery started production, reflected the “long term perspective that a family owned company can take”.
Also launched by William Grant during 2013 was The Girvan Patent Still single grain Scotch, and the company said it continued to invest in other “innovation” brands such as Monkey Shoulder triple malt whisky, Reyka vodka, Solerno Blood Orange liqueur and premium tequila brand Milagro.
Chief executive Stella David said: “Whilst 2013 saw some challenging global economic conditions, the company continued to perform well – thanks to our consistent focus on brand-building and investing for the long-term.”
Last year ended on a sad note for William Grant, with the death of life president and former chairman Charles Grant Gordon.
The firm said: “During the 60 years in which he served the company, he worked relentlessly for its advancement and development.
“There are very few individuals who will have contributed as much as he has to any one company, and to the Scotch whisky industry as a whole over such a long time-span.”
Mr Gordon played a leading role in turning a small Moray family drink company into an international business with a turnover of more than £1billion.
His contribution to the worldwide drink trade was marked at special memorial services in New York and his home city of Glasgow earlier this year.