Overseas investors behind some of Scotland’s best-selling single malt whiskies enjoyed a boom in profits and sales last year.
The company behind of Glemorangie and Ardbeg, along with the owner of Bowmore, Auchentoshan, Glen Garioch and McClellands, both outstripped global volume growth of single malts in 2013.
Wine and spirits specialist IWSR estimated demand for single malt around the world grew 4% last year.
Glenmorangie, which also makes Islay-based Arbeg, saw sales rise 6% to £70.1million, while pre-tax profits rose 17% to £13.4million in the year to the end of December, according to accounts posted at Companies House.
Meanwhile, Morrison Bowmore Distillers hailed a “significant increase” in volumes, turnover and profitability in its accounts for the same period.
Sales for the firm grew 12% to £55.6million, while pre-tax profits grew 7% to £9.1million.
Glenmorangie, which is distilled in Tain in Ross-shire, said it was focused on growing sales of both brands in China and Taiwan through new TV advertising campaigns last year.
In a statement, the company also hailed its sponsorship of the British Golf Open which was held in Muirfield last year.
It said: “Legendary golfers Tony Jacklin and Sir Nick Faldo continued as Glenmorangie ambassadors.
“This sponsorship achieved widespread coverage, particularly in the United States, the UK and Asia.”
Founded in 1951 by Stanley Morrison and J. Howat, Morrison Bowmore’s ultimate parent is now Japanese drinks giant Suntory. The Japanese firm, which has owned a stake in the group of distilleries since 1989, also now owns Laphroaig through its £9.6million acquisition of Beam Inc at the start of this year.
Meanwhile, The Glenmorangie Company was acquired in a £300million deal by French drinks firm Moet Hennessy in 2005. The brands, part of the wider Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) group, is controlled by luxury goods group, Christian Dior.
The value of all whisky exports dropped slightly from more than £4.27bn in 2012 to just under £4.26billion in 2013, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), although volumes rose 3%.