Northern Ireland's Bushmills contributes to growth of Becle

Growing international sales of Old Bushmills, the leading Northern Ireland distiller of premium Irish whiskey, helped Mexico-based drinks group and Jose Cuervo maker Becle achieve 6.4 percent growth in 2017, with volume increase in all regions.

Bushmills and spirits brands other than tequila represented 20.1percent of total net sales in the period, an increase of 2.2 percent.

They helped Becle to a net growth sales for the 2017 fiscal year, an increase of 6.4 percent.

Becle acquired Old Bushmills, which is based on county Antrim and is regarded as the world's oldest licensed whiskey distiller, from Diageo in 2014. It has since invested extensively in developing the historic brand, especially in terms of new product development, such as the Red Bush whiskey and the creation of original cocktails, and global marketing. The company also operates Northern Ireland's most successful whiskey visitor centre.

In the fiscal year ending 31 December 2017, the tequila-maker's operating profits increased by 19.8 percent while net profits also rose.

Net sales in the US and Canada increased 2.6 percent compared with the previous year, attributed to price increases and favourable sales mix, partially offset by the unfavourable effect of foreign exchange.

Mexico net sales increased by 15.3 percent as a result of both volume growth and higher average net selling prices per case.

Jose Cuervo Tequila saw a net sales increase of 6.4 percent in the full-year. The leading tequila brand represented 36.6 percent of total net sales for 2017.

The company's other tequila brands represented 22.7 percent of total net sales and increased by 18.6 percent compared to the previous year.

Net sales of ready-to-drink represented 8.4 percent of total net sales and reported an increase of three percent.

"Tequila growth was robust across our family of brands and we continue to enjoy accelerated growth across our premium brands that is driving higher average net sales per case, both in tequila and across our other spirits brands," the company said.

"We celebrated many accomplishments during 2017, including our initial public offering and our most recently announced acquisition of the Pendleton Whisky brand assets.

"We have built a global spirits business with an attractive growth profile and the financial assets to further expand our growth portfolio of brands."