WHISKY firm Whyte & Mackay saw pre-tax profits soar 24% to £15.4 million last year – but the figure is barely half what it was two years ago.

The Glasgow-based company, which was caught up in a deal between Vijay Mallya's United Spirits and drinks giant Diageo, posted a 35.5% rise in sales to £229.8m for the year to March 31. While sales have risen in the past two years, pre-tax profit is still some way off the £31.7m recorded in 2010, with sales costs impacting on the bottom line.

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