The Glenlivet auf globalem Wachstumskurs

The Glenlivet Single Malt hat vor kurzem die Verkaufsmarke von 1/2 Millionen Kisten pro Jahr überschritten – das entspricht 6 Millionen Flaschen. Dieses Ziel wurde in 2003 aufgestellt, als lediglich 375.000 Kisten verkauft wurden. Eigentümer Chivas Brothers sagte, dass The Glenlivet, der in der Speyside destilliert und in Newbridge bei Edinburgh abgefüllt wird, erst der zweite Single Malt Whisky ist, der diese Verkaufsmarke erreicht hat. The Glenlivet, der zweitbeliebteste Premium Malt Whisky weltweit, ist angeblich die Nummer Eins der Malt Marken in Amerika und erzielte enorme Zuwachsraten auf den asiatisch-pazifischen Märkten, wie zum Beispiel Taiwan und Japan und ebenfalls auf den europäischen Schlüsselmärkten.

SPEYSIDE MALT HAS BOTTLE FOR GLOBAL GROWTH

The Glenlivet single malt has just reached the milestone of selling half a million cases in a year, equivalent to 6million bottles.

This was revealed yesterday by owner Chivas Brothers, the whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard.

The 500,000 cases target was set in 2003 when The Glenlivet was selling just 375,000.

Chivas said that The Glenlivet – distilled on Speyside and bottled at Newbridge near Edinburgh – was only the second single malt whisky to ever reach this sales milestone.

The Glenlivet, the second most popular premium malt whisky in the world, is said to be the number one malt brand in America and making significant gains in Asia-Pacific markets such as Taiwan and Japan as well as key European markets.

Christian Porta, Chivas Brothers‘ chairman and chief executive, said: „This is a historic day for a historic brand.

„We now have our sights firmly set on our long-term vision of achieving the global number one spot in the single malt Scotch category.“

The Chivas portfolio also includes Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, Ballantine’s and Clan Campbell whiskies and Beefeater gin.

Pernod Ricard yesterday said its sales for the half-year to December 31 were £2.31billion, up 7.3% on a year earlier. It said it had seen outstanding organic growth of 12.4% in the last quarter of the year and had revised its full-year organic growth expectations upwards to in excess of 6%.

The French drink giant said its 15 strategic brands grew by 9% in volume and 14% in value during the period, this included Ballantine’s growing 22%, Martell up 17% and Beefeater 13% ahead.

Among prestige brands, sales of The Glenlivet 15-year-old were up 61% on a year earlier, Ballantine’s 21-year-old was 37% ahead, and Chivas 18-year-old up 32%.

The company said it confirmed its guidance for the 2006-07 financial year of strong double-digit growth in net profits, excluding any foreign exchange effect.

(this is north scotland)