Rémy Cointreau, which bought the Bruichladdich distillery on Islay in September for £58 million, has reported a 13% rise in half-year income to €595.8 million (£480m).

Growth was said to have been strongest in the United States and China, although some parts of Europe saw an improved performance.

The French liqueur and spirits company said net profit in the six months to end of September increased 83% to €86.6m (£69.8m).

Former Bruichladdich chief executive Mark Reynier, one of the group who revived the distillery in 2000, left the firm last month and was replaced by operations director Simon Coughlin.