Macallan profit climb 28%

[William]

MACALLAN, the premium single malt brand of the Edrington Group, has benefited from a major international sales push.

Accounts made available at Companies House this week show the Speyside distillery increased sales by 18.8 per cent to £69.3 million in the year to 31 March, 2006, while pre-tax profits climbed 28 per cent to £34.2m. The accounts show assets of £132m for the subsidiary, after the parent company was paid a dividend of £3.9m. The director's report predicted growth would continue this year.

Macallan is one of the biggest selling brands in the fast-growing Russian single malt market. Its recent growth has been driven by the Fine Oak range, which has sold more than a million bottles in two years. The Fine Oak sells for up to £300 a bottle. Last year, Macallan teamed up with another luxury brand, glass maker Lalique, to produce 470 crystal decanters, holding a 50-year-old single malt, selling for £3,500.

Source: The Scotsman Newspaper Online