Excise hike slammed despite Jameson success

Global sales of Jameson Irish whiskey grew by 16%, year on year, during the six months to the end of December, with volumes up by 13%.

In that timeframe — the first half of parent group Pernod Ricard’s latest financial year — Jameson, one of the French drink giant’s key global brands, saw either double or triple digit percentage sales growth in 54 markets.

However, its owners — via local subsidiary Irish Distillers — yesterday joined Heineken in criticising the Government over policy.