Irish Distillers, producers of Jameson Irish whiskey products, announced global financial growth of 3% in the first half of its fiscal year.

Jameson recorded volume growth in key markets including the UK (+12%), USA (+7%), Russia (+7%), and Ireland (+4%), according to a news release. Within the broader Jameson family, Jameson Black Barrel posted volume growth of 31% globally versus the same period last year, successfully capturing the growing consumer trend toward more premium brands.  

Jameson sold 4.75 million cases, which was its highest ever volumes in the first half of the year.

The single pot still Irish whiskey market continues to surge, the report says, driven by value growth in Redbreast (+33%) which saw the addition of Redbreast 27 year old last March. Value growth was also seen across the Spot range (+31%), with the reimagined Blue Spot unveiled in November. 

In addition, Jameson’s ready-to-drink product line rose 42% in value over the first half of last financial year, following a global trend. Irish Distillers points to growth in Australia, New Zealand, UK and Canada as drivers in the growth. 

“Despite an extremely difficult environment, we had a solid start to the financial year,” Conor McQuaid, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers, said in the release, “with sales of Jameson Irish whiskey showing resilience by growing 3% in the first half of the year.”

McQuaid added that the rise of premium whiskeys continues, with that segment seeing 46% growth.