BRUICHLADDICH Distillery Company has hiked profits more than ten-fold as it continues to prosper under the ownership of French drinks giant Remy Cointreau, writes Scott Wright.

The Islay distiller, acquired by Remy for £58 million in 2012, posted pre-tax profits of £1.9m for the year ended March 31. This compared with profits of £162,052 the year before, accounts newly filed at Companies House reveal.

Turnover at the distillery, whose profitability was highlighted by Remy chief executive Valerie Chapouland-Floquet when the French company reported its results in June, leapt by more than £3m to £14.2m.

Bruichladdich increased its investment in distilled bulk whisky stocks to £21.6m from £18.1m during the year.

The directors said: "The continued support of Remy Cointreau gives the company the ongoing ability to expand its investment programme into bulk whisky stocks.

"With the global route to market fully integrated, the company will focus on building breadth and depth of distribution and increased rate of sale, in key markets."