BRUICHLADDICH, the Islay distillery, has seen a near doubling of sales as owner Remy Cointreau saw organic revenue edge marginally up in its latest financial year.

Paris-listed Remy, which acquired Bruichladdich for £58 million in 2012, said it was now reaping the benefits of a strategy it has pursued with the distiller in the last two years. Its plans have centred on doubling the production at the island distillery, positioning its brands in upmarket outlets, and achieving greater efficiency in marketing.

The contribution of Bruichladdich, which turned over £11.1m the year before, was a key feature as organic revenue at Remy's liqueurs and spirits division grew by 7.2 per cent to €259.9m in the 12 months to March 31.

Remy put the growth down to a dual strategy of positioning its brands upmarket and "internationalising" its portfolio.

The division, which accounted for 27 per cent of the group's sales at the end of March, included "high single digit growth" for Cointreau, driven by the US, Japan, Greater China and Africa. However Metaxa saw its double digit percentage growth in Germany and Central Europe offset by weaker shipments to Russia.

Overall, Remy recorded net sales of €965.1m for the year.

Organic sales grew by 0.6 per cent over the 12 months but accelerated by 23.4 per cent in the fourth quarter. This included a significant sales rebound in the second half for Cognac Remy Cointreau in China - up 15 per cent in organic terms - after being hit by de-stocking in Asia in the first half.