GLENCAIRN Crystal has revealed global sales of its famous whisky glass have topped the 20 million mark, as it unveiled a major deal to ramp up sales across the Atlantic.

The East Kilbride firm announced the sales milestone while revealing it has signed a contract worth $2.5 million (£2.03m) with the largest independent glassware decorator in the US.

The deal with Boelter, which is the first partnership of its kind to be signed by the Scottish business, will see the Glencairn glasses decorated and distributed across the Atlantic.

It comes as sales of Glencairn products continue grow around the world, with its glasses and decanters now exported to more than 60 countries.

The company, which generates 80 per cent of its sales abroad, has appointed ambassadors in territories such as America, Europe and the Far East to spearhead its international sales effort.

Scott Davidson, sales director at family-owned Glencairn, said: “As our expansion plans in the USA continues apace, entering into partnership with the country’s largest independent company in the industry will improve our customer experience and speed up the distribution process within the USA.

“Boelter will be working to support distribution on our behalf in order to meet the continuing demand for our products in the USA.”

The Glencairn is widely regarded as the official drinking glass of the Scotch whisky industry, with around three million manufactured annually.

Glencairn Crystal, owned by the Davidson family, recorded sales of around £8m in the year to April 30. This was up from £6.7m the year before, with the rise down to whisky distillers using the glass to help drive sales in international markets.